Aryabhata Ganit Challenge 2026 Dates and Practice Guide
The Aryabhata Ganit Challenge 2026 is open to students in Classes VIII to X at CBSE-affiliated schools. Schools have until 18 November 2026 to register for the first stage. If you are a student, ask your mathematics teacher or school coordinator whether your school is participating and when it will hold its assessment. The registration dates in the circular are for schools.
Aryabhata Ganit Challenge 2026 dates and format
The official CBSE circular lists 4 to 18 November for school registration and 25 to 26 November for schools to access the first-stage paper and answer key. Schools register their top three students for Stage 2 from 27 to 30 November. The national computer-based test is scheduled for 2 December.
CBSE lists a one-hour multiple-choice assessment worth 40 marks in both stages, with no negative marking. Participation in Stage 1 is free. The Stage 2 fee is ₹900 per school. Teachers should check the CBSE circulars page for the registration link and later instructions.
Practise finding the right quantity first
Real-world problems often hide the calculation inside a choice about what to measure. Imagine you have ₹250 for stationery. A shop offers a pack of six pens for ₹90 and a pack of four for ₹64. Which has the lower price per pen, and what combination costs least if you need ten pens and can buy only whole packs?
The six-pack costs ₹15 per pen, while the four-pack costs ₹16 per pen. One of each costs ₹154 and gives you exactly ten. Two six-packs cost ₹180 and leave two extra. Three four-packs cost ₹192 and also leave two extra. The unit price helps you compare the offers, but the requirement to buy whole packs determines which combination fits the problem.
Draw a diagram before reaching for a formula
For a second practice question, picture a rectangular noticeboard measuring 80 by 60 centimetres. A border of five centimetres runs around all four edges. How much area inside the border is available for a poster? Sketch the board and label both the outside and inside dimensions.
Each dimension loses ten centimetres because the border takes up five at either end. The inner rectangle is 70 by 50 centimetres, so the poster area is 3,500 square centimetres. An easy mistake is to subtract five once from each measurement. The sketch makes it harder to miss the second edge.
Give data questions a second reading
Try listing the number of library books borrowed on four days as 8, 10, 12 and 18. The mean is 12. If another day records 27 loans, the mean rises to 15 while the median of the five observations remains 12. Ask which value better describes a typical day in that small set and explain your choice. The explanation matters because two correct calculations can answer different questions.
Keep a record of the mistakes you make, such as selecting the wrong unit or overlooking an instruction. Write the fix beside each error. Later, try the same idea with different numbers to see whether you understood the method.
Use a short practice routine this week
Try a mix of geometry, data and number problems instead of repeating only the questions you answer quickly. Set a short timer, then spend as much attention reviewing the solutions as you spend answering. Keep units beside every intermediate result. When you are unsure how to begin, write down what is given and what the question asks you to find.
The examples above are original practice questions. For eligibility and dates, use the CBSE notice and your school’s instructions. Bootpoot also covers other application deadlines in its Education section.
Illustrative mathematics photograph. Photo by Thomas T on Unsplash.
