New Delhi, Sep 10: The All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), in collaboration with IIT Madras, IIM Mumbai, and Extra-C, successfully hosted the Grand Finale of the National Inter-College Crossword Expedition (NICE-2025).
As per a statement issued, after an intense contest of wit and wordplay, Pranika and Seerat Kaur from IIT Delhi emerged as champions, securing the prestigious NICE-2025 trophy. The first runner-up title went to Chinmay and Ruchira from IIT Guwahati, while Yashashwi and Ananya from SASTRA University claimed the second runner-up position. This marks IIT Delhi’s fourth consecutive victory at NICE, underscoring its dominance in this intellectual pursuit. The awards were conferred by Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, who praised the winners and participants for their remarkable display of talent. He highlighted the growing importance of such initiatives. “Crosswords are a dynamic mental exercise that nurtures lateral thinking, recall abilities, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. These attributes are invaluable for students in technical education as they prepare for leadership roles in the future. We look forward to taking this competition to every institution in India,” he said. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, emphasized the academic and cultural value of the initiative. “This competition is not only about mental agility and soft skills, it also creates an engaging platform to spread awareness about India’s cultural heritage. It reflects the spirit of NEP-2020 by promoting learning beyond the classroom, encouraging self-learning, teamwork, and decision-making. Such initiatives empower students with lifelong skills while keeping them connected to India’s traditions,” he said. The National Inter-College Crossword Expedition (NICE), conceptualized as an innovative knowledge-driven event, has grown into a prestigious annual contest. By blending education with recreation, it sharpens critical thinking, improves problem-solving capabilities, and fosters appreciation of India’s cultural depth. AICTE, along with its collaborators, continues to expand the reach of NICE to inspire more students across the nation.
