What is CIAC 2026?
CIAC 2026 — Chennai Inter-School Academic Championship — is a city-wide academic olympiad designed to discover and celebrate Chennai's brightest school students. Organized by TestSeriesPro, it brings together students from CBSE, ICSE, State Board, and Matriculation schools across 8 hubs of Chennai.
City-Wide Scale
Spanning 8 hubs across Chennai — consolidated from the 15 administrative zones — CIAC covers every corner of the city.
All Boards Welcome
CBSE, ICSE, Tamil Nadu State Board, and Matriculation students all compete on a level playing field with board-specific question papers.
Two-Stage Competition
Start at your cluster level — win there and you advance to the Grand Finale, competing against the best students from all 8 hubs in Chennai.
Prizes Worth ₹23.8 Lakh+
Total cash prize pool of ₹23.8 Lakh+ — separate cash prizes for CBSE and State Board tracks, across 7 classes (6th–12th) at the Grand Finale.
School Recognition Too
Schools earn awards for best performance, highest participation, and producing city-level champions — putting your school on Chennai's academic map.
Fair & Transparent
Conducted by TestSeriesPro — trusted by thousands of students for competitive exam preparation — with standardized, unbiased evaluation.
Who Can Participate?
CIAC 2026 is open to all school students from Class 6 to Class 12, across all major boards in Tamil Nadu.
How the Exam Works
A focused 45-minute test designed to evaluate well-rounded academic ability — not just one subject, but five dimensions of learning.
Subject Breakdown — 50 Questions
8 Hubs Across Chennai
CIAC 2026 covers Chennai end-to-end through 8 hubs. Hubs 1, 2, 3, 4 write on 25th July, Hubs 5, 6, 7, 8 on 26th July 2026.
Win Big. Be Recognized.
Prizes at two levels — your Zone and the Chennai Grand Finale. Every class, every zone, every board.
Hub Level Prizes
Hub HonorsGrand Finale — City Level
Highest AchievementHub winners advance to the Chennai Grand Finale. City-level rankings and cash prizes declared per class.
Prizes awarded separately for CBSE/ICSE Track and State/Matric Track — across all 7 classes at the Grand Finale.
| Class | CBSE / ICSE Track | State / Matric Track | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | 🥈 2nd | 🥉 3rd | 🥇 1st | 🥈 2nd | 🥉 3rd | |
| 6th | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 |
| 7th | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 |
| 8th | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 |
| 9th | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 |
| 10th | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 |
| 11th | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 |
| 12th | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 | ₹20,000 |
| Total Prize Pool: ₹23,80,000 · 42 cash prizes across 7 classes × 2 tracks × 3 positions | ||||||
School Awards
Institution RecognitionCIAC 2026 is not just a student competition — it is a school recognition platform. Schools earn prestigious city-wide awards based on performance and participation.
Best School in Chennai
One top-performing school recognized per board — CBSE, ICSE, State Board, and Matriculation. Awarded based on overall student performance at the Grand Finale.
Best Supporting Principal
One principal honored per board for exceptional support, encouragement, and enabling student participation. Recognizes visionary school leadership.
Highest Participation
Top school in every hub (8 awards) + 1 city-level award for the school with the highest total participation across all zones and classes.
School of Champions
Schools whose students win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place at the Grand Finale receive a special "School of Champions" award — the ultimate badge of academic excellence.
More Than a Competition
CIAC 2026 is an experience that shapes sharper students, stronger thinkers, and more confident young people.
Test Your Real Ability
Go beyond your textbook. CIAC tests how well you think, reason, and apply knowledge — skills that matter far beyond school exams.
Compete at a City Stage
Most students never get to compete beyond their school. CIAC gives you a real arena — your zone, then all of Chennai.
Win Life-Changing Prizes
Up to ₹1,00,000 in cash prizes for city toppers — plus trophies and medals that sit on your shelf for life.
Recognition That Lasts
A CIAC certificate and medal is not just an award — it's proof of merit on a competitive city-wide platform, something colleges and scholarship committees notice.
Build Academic Confidence
The experience of preparing for and sitting a real competitive exam builds a resilience and self-belief that carries into board exams, entrance tests, and beyond.
Make Your School Proud
Your performance earns recognition for your school too — Best School, Highest Participation, School of Champions. Be the student who put your school on the map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in CIAC 2026? +
Students from Class 6 to Class 12 across CBSE, ICSE, Tamil Nadu State Board, and Matriculation schools in Chennai.
What is the registration deadline? +
The registration deadline is 10th July 2026. Late registrations will not be accepted.
When and where is the exam? +
Hubs 1, 2, 3, 4 write on 25th July 2026 and Hubs 5, 6, 8 write on 26th July 2026. Venues are within your zone across Chennai.
What are the prizes? +
Hub winners receive trophies, medals, and certificates. Grand Finale prizes — ₹1,00,000 (1st), ₹50,000 (2nd), ₹20,000 (3rd) — are awarded separately for CBSE/ICSE and State/Matric tracks, per class. Total prize pool: ₹23.8 Lakh+.
Are there separate papers for different boards? +
Yes. Track A for CBSE/ICSE students and Track B for State Board/Matriculation students — ensuring fair, curriculum-aligned questions for everyone.
What is the exam format? +
50 MCQ questions in 45 minutes covering Maths (10), Science (10), English (10), Logical & Reasoning (10), and GK & Current Affairs (10).
Ready to Compete for Chennai?
Registrations close on 15th July 2026. Secure your spot before the deadline.