Kolkata: Despite heavy morning rains on July 17, nearly 400 students gathered at Gyan Manch, Abhinav Bharati High School, for The Times of India NIE Critical Thinking Quiz 2026, organised with Titan Zoop. Designed to test 21st-century skills—such as logical reasoning, media literacy, current affairs, and problem-solving—the city-wide competition moved beyond rote learning. After an online qualifier (round 1) across participating schools, qualified teams competed in an offline preliminary written test (round 2) at the venue, with the top six teams advancing to the grand finale.Renowned quizmaster Surya Narayan—who has hosted over 500 quizzes for more than a million participants across India—helmed the grand finale, bringing his signature high-energy engagement to the championship stage. “School quizzes carry incredible energy. It’s inspiring to see students decipher complex clues far beyond their textbooks instead of relying on instant search,” he quipped in.Vying for the coveted title were six exceptional teams: DPS Megacity, Vels Global School, Hariyana Vidya Mandir, Shri Shikshayatan School, St. Agnes School, Kharagpur and Abhinav Bharati High School.Guest quiz master Raj Shankar Das kept the audience engaged with trivia, rewarding sharp answers with customised T-shirts. The final round tested the top teams through a rapid-fire multiple-choice section, a visual challenge, and a decisive buzzer round that demanded quick recall and teamwork.DPS Megacity emerged victorious to claim the championship title. Abhinav Bharati High School secured the first runner-up spot after a spirited performance, while Shri Shikshayatan School rounded out the podium as the second runner-up. All participants received certificates, with runners-up earning trophies and vouchers, and the champions winning Titan Zoop watches alongside their trophies. Finalists also received customised notebooks and T-shirts.Celebrating the event, Russian Bose, brand manager at Titan, noted that curiosity transforms learning, adding, “We believe in empowering the next generation with the joy of timekeeping and are proud to see such local talent excel.”The prizes were presented by guests of honour who shared their reflections on the importance of nurturing analytical skills. Holistic health crusader, heritage advocate and cultural preservationist, Rekha Bhutoria remarked, “Watching these children think and debate made me feel like a young schoolgirl again—curious, excited, and completely immersed in the joy of learning. Investing in young minds is our most meaningful work.” Mousumi Saha, principal of National English School, Kolkata, assistant secretary of ASISC (West Bengal and North East States), and secretary of WBAPAS, added, “Skill-based platforms give students the confidence and competence needed to excel in a changing world.” Echoing this vision, Sraboni Samanta, principal of Abhinav Bharati High School, said, “Rote learning no longer works. As the NEP transforms education, critical thinking is essential to meet modern challenges.”The host for the day was RJ Vineet, who kept the audience engaged with his lively banter and upbeat presence.
