Discover, Create, and Shine. The GCS Art & Creative Writing Contests provide a celebrated platform for students to express their unique vision, share their creative efforts, and gain recognition for high-quality work. These annual events aim to foster creativity, refine artistic and literary voices, and build a foundation for lifelong creative expression, all while preparing students for diverse professional futures.
Contest Theme: Space Life
Participants are invited to explore and interpret the exciting theme of “Space Life” through their original art and writing.
Eligibility & Registration
- Eligibility: Open to students from Grade Pre-Level through Grade 12.
- Multiple Entries: A student may participate in both the Art and Creative Writing contests, but only one submission per category is allowed.
- Fee: Rs. 1,000/- per participant, per contest.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | April 01, 2026 |
| Registration & Submission Closes | May 05, 2026 (by 5:00 PM PST) |
| Announcement of Results | May 29, 2026 |
Contest Levels & Word Limits
The contest is structured into the following levels with corresponding word limits for the Creative Writing category:
| Level | Grades | Word Limit (Creative Writing) |
|---|---|---|
| Sprout | Mont, PG, Nursery, KG | 10 – 40 words |
| Explorer | 1 & 2 | 50 – 80 words |
| Challenger | 3 & 4 | 150 – 200 words |
| Contender | 5 & 6 | 230 – 280 words |
| Competitor | 7 & 8 | 350 – 400 words |
| Achiever | 9 & 10 | 500 – 550 words |
| Champion | 11 & 12 | 600 – 950 words |
How to Enter
- Interested students must contact their school administration.
- Schools will compile and send submissions to the provided GCS postal address.
- Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Participant Submission Form. Entries without this form will not be accepted.
- All entries must be received by the deadline. Late submissions will be disqualified.
Category-Specific Rules & Evaluation
GCS Art Contest
Rules & Specifications:
- Artwork must be created individually by the student.
- Use A4-sized paper; final artwork must not exceed 24″ x 18″.
- Medium: Open (pencils, crayons, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, oil, digital, etc.).
- Only one art entry per student.
- Do not write your name on the artwork. Identification comes solely from the attached submission form.
- Content must be appropriate and original. Plagiarized work will be disqualified.
- Please keep a copy; submissions will not be returned.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Creativity & Originality (20%)
- Quality & Technique of Artistic Composition (40%)
- Relevance to Theme “Space Life” (20%)
- Overall Design & Impact (20%)
GCS Creative Writing Contest
Rules & Specifications:
- Entries must be in English, original, and unpublished.
- Format: Typed (preferred) or neatly handwritten on A4 paper, with pages numbered.
- Properly acknowledge any borrowed ideas or language.
- Only one writing entry per student.
- Do not write your name on the manuscript. Identification comes solely from the attached submission form.
- Any work suspected of plagiarism will be disqualified.
- Please keep a copy; submissions will not be returned.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Content & Body (40 points)
- Sentence Structure & Grammar (20 points)
- Style & Voice (20 points)
- Creativity & Originality (20 points)
Important Policies & Guidelines
- Submission Form: GCS does not accept entries sent directly by students. The completed Participant’s Submission Form and Registration Form must be submitted by the participant’s school.
- Disqualification: The GCS Advisory Council reserves the sole right to disqualify any entry without prior notice. All such decisions are final and not subject to review.
- Contest Termination: GCS reserves the right to modify, cancel, or suspend the contest at its discretion.
- Copyright: Participants retain copyright to their work but grant GCS a non-exclusive license to reproduce winning entries in its publications, website, and promotional materials, with full credit to the artist/author.