Curiosity and competition take centre stage at IPE–The Hindu FIC Quiz 2026

The team of T. Rithvika and A. Lakshmi Vara Priya from PVP Siddhartha Institute of Technology emerged as winners at the Institute of Public Enterprise–The Hindu FIC Quiz 2026 held in Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education (Deemed to be University) at Kanuru in Vijayawada on Saturday (January 31).

The team of D. Surya Teja and Sk. Ahmad Ali from V.R. Siddhartha Engineering College was adjudged runners-up, while Ch. Vasanth Keerthan and K. Bhuvan Royal from Dhankula Institute of Engineering and Technology were declared second runners-up.

Around 700 students drawn from 25 colleges in Krishna, Guntur and West Godavari districts filled the auditorium of V.R. Siddhartha Engineering College to witness the quiz, which buzzed with energy. A sense of anticipation hung in the air as quiz master Gowtam Bose fired questions with flair.

Participants weighing options at IPE-The Hindu FIC Quiz-2026 in Vijayawada on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. GIRI

The contest opened on a comfortable note, with relatively easy questions that helped the teams settle in and find their rhythm. As the rounds progressed, however, the level of difficulty steadily rose, testing not just knowledge but also composure under pressure. Several questions went unanswered by the teams and were promptly tossed to the audience and those who answered correctly were rewarded, adding to the excitement and ensuring that the audience remained active participants in the contest.

The teams of M. Sri Twisha and D. Deena Sri Gupta from KBN College; M. Surendra Naidu and Pragada Praveen from Vignan University, Guntur; and K. Suresh and K. Harish from Andhra Loyola Institute of Technology and Engineering were ranked the fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively.

Quiz master Gowtham Bose keeping the audience thoroughly engaged at IPE-The Hindu FIC Quiz-2026, in Vijayawada on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. GIRI

Speaking after presenting prizes to the winners, vice-chancellor of Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education (Deemed to be University) P. Venkateswara Rao said a quiz is no easy task, as it demands a wide range of knowledge cutting across subjects, along with the ability to think quickly, stay calm under pressure and make sharp judgements in a matter of seconds.

Pro-vice-chancellor Ratna Prasad said such programmes sparks curiosity, an essential trait for gaining a deeper understanding of the world and the universe around. Vijay Kumar Reddy from IPE was also present.