Center for Design Studies presents India's Young Creators Program 2026-27
Center for Design Studies IYCP Season 2026-27

India's young creators start here.

A year-long creative journey for school students: expert talks, one-to-one mentorship, monthly challenges, a national competition and a festival in a real gallery.

What IYCP is

Not a competition.
A creative culture.

IYCP is not a single competition or workshop. It is a continuous learning journey that connects schools, students, educators, parents and creative professionals through a shared culture of creativity.

Vision

To build a national platform that inspires the next generation of creative thinkers, problem solvers and innovators by making design education accessible, engaging and experiential for school students.

Mission

To nurture curiosity, encourage experimentation and help students understand how creativity can be used to solve meaningful problems. Through learning experiences, creative challenges, mentorship, exhibitions and community engagement, we create an environment where young creators can continuously learn, grow and share their ideas.

What students receive

One registration.
A full ecosystem.

Every registered participant joins a year-long journey — there is no separate sign-up for mentorship, the Learning Hub or the Festival.

Students interact with distinguished professionals from Design, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Technology and the Creative Industries through inspiring talks, masterclasses, panel discussions and interactive sessions. These interactions expose students to new ideas, emerging careers and real-world experiences beyond the classroom.

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Learn from Leading Experts

Registered participants can engage in regular online mentoring sessions with industry experts, designers, entrepreneurs and educators. These one-to-one and small-group conversations provide valuable guidance on creative projects, portfolio development, career pathways and personal growth.

Personal Mentorship & Expert Guidance

Partner schools host specially designed Inspire Sessions, interactive workshops, creative conversations and hands-on design challenges that encourage students to observe, imagine, experiment, collaborate and solve real-world problems through creativity. These experiences bring design thinking directly into the classroom and create a culture of innovation within the school.

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School-Based Creative Experiences

Every participant receives access to the Young Creators Learning Hub, a curated digital platform offering learning resources from globally recognised organisations such as Canva Design School, IBM SkillsBuild, HP LIFE, Autodesk Tinkercad, Adobe Express, Figma Learn and other leading educational platforms. Students can continue learning independently while building creative, technical and entrepreneurial skills.

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Access to the Young Creators Learning Hub

Throughout the year, students can participate in monthly creative challenges based on exciting themes that encourage innovation, critical thinking and creative expression. Outstanding work is recognised through certificates, digital showcases, social media features and Pan-India recognition, with prize money on offer for standout entries.

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Monthly Creative Challenges & National Recognition

The flagship National Challenge gives students an opportunity to showcase their most innovative ideas on a national platform. Winners receive cash prizes, national certificates, trophies, industry recognition and opportunities to present their work before eminent designers, innovators, educators and industry leaders.

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India's Young Creators National Challenge

The program culminates in the Young Creators Design Festival, a grand celebration of creativity where selected student projects from across the country are exhibited at the Sri Aurobindo International Art Gallery. The exhibition lets students present their ideas in a professional gallery environment, appreciated by parents, educators, school leaders, industry professionals, designers, media representatives and the wider community.

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Young Creators Design Festival & Grand Exhibition

The program journey

Six stages,
one season.

Scroll to move through the year.

01

Register

Join the program and unlock your Learning Hub access.

Any time of year
02

Learn and be mentored

Talks, masterclasses and mentoring sessions with working professionals.

All year
03

Experience it at school

Inspire Sessions and hands-on workshops in partner schools.

Through the year
04

Create every month

A new theme is published on the 1st. Submissions stay open until the 29th.

1st to 29th
05

Take on the nation

The National Challenge: announcement, submissions and offline jury interviews.

1 Nov to 10 Jan
06

Exhibit at the festival

Selected work goes on the wall at the Sri Aurobindo International Art Gallery.

After the National Challenge

The flagship event

India’s Young Creators
National Challenge

Read the full timeline
First Prize
₹50,000

Cash prize, national certificate, trophy and industry recognition

Second Prize
₹25,000

Cash prize, national certificate, trophy and industry recognition

Third Prize
₹10,000

Cash prize, national certificate, trophy and industry recognition

An art gallery

Season finale

Young Creators Design Festival & Grand Exhibition

More than an exhibition — a celebration of imagination, innovation, collaboration and the creative potential of India’s next generation.

Featured student works

From this season’s gallery.

Partner schools & knowledge partners

Growing across the country.

120+partner schools
18states & union territories
4,600+students engaged this season
6knowledge partners
Creative colours

Your first challenge is one click away

Start
creating.