Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I do not hold an Indian passport. I am studying in a school in India. Can I participate?

A. You can! Indian as well as foreign passport holders can participate, as long as they are studying in a school in Indian territory.

Q. Who can take part in INDAC? Is it open for students of all ages and grades?

A. The competition is open for students in grades 3-12 as on 01 September, 2025.

Q. Students of which Board of Education are eligible to participate?

A. Students of schools following any recognized Board of Education can participate in INDAC. This includes IB, IGCSE, CBSE, ICSE/ISC and State Boards.

Q. I am a student studying in a school in India. Can I participate in the global championships organized by IAC without participating in INDAC?

A. No. If you are a student studying in a school in India, to participate in global championships organized by IAC, you must

1. participate in INDAC
2. secure a score that is higher than the qualifying mark for global championships

Q. Can a student participate in all 3 subjects at the Regional Tournament?

A. Yes, a student may participate in 1, 2, or all 3 subjects at the Regional Tournament provided that

1. they have achieved the qualifying mark in the relevant subject(s), and
2. they have paid the required fee.

Q. Where will the Regional Tournament be organized?

A. The INDAC Regional Tournament will be held online on April 18-19, 2026. The details and schedule will be sent to all registered participants in advance. Indian Standard Time hours will be applicable to make it convenient for participants across the country.

Q. Will certificates be provided to participants?

A. Participants will receive Certificates of Participation for taking part in the Regional Tournament. Certificates of Merit will be awarded to all finalists.

Q. Will trophies and medals be awarded to participants?

A. At each Regional Tournament, the winners in each subject within each age division will receive a plaque. All participants who finish second and third will receive silver and bronze medals respectively.

Q. I am a teacher or parent who wishes to volunteer with INDAC. Is this possible?

A. INDAC welcomes associations with like-minded people. Please write in to us at contact@xpressminds.com with the subject “Volunteering with INDAC” expressing your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

Q. Can a school get a special package for registering a large group of students?

A. Certainly. Please write in to us at contact@xpressminds.com with the subject “School Package”, and we shall get in touch with you. You can also WhatsApp us at +91-8860774325.

Q. Does participation in INDAC guarantee a student an opportunity to participate in global championships organized by IAC?

A. Students in the top 50 % at the Regional Tournament will be eligible to participate in the Asian Championships and World Championships.

Q. Can a student participate in multiple Regional Tournaments?

A. Yes, a student can participate in multiple Regional Tournaments, subject to registration and payment of required fees, but not in the same cycle of the program. To elucidate, the program has 2 to 3 cycles. More than one RT may be conducted at different venues within a single cycle.

Q. What kind of questions can we expect in the ORQE?

A. Glad you asked. All ORQE questions are compiled by the US-based Content Writing Team of IAC. The INDAC Team has uploaded them into subject wise Question Banks for each of the 5 age divisions. The ORQE for each subject for each student in an age division will be drawn from the appropriate Question Bank. Don’t fret if you and your friends get different questions, or if you get a few similar questions (across Learn Mode, Mock Mode and Compete Mode). This is because each set of 50 questions is randomly drawn from a larger Bank.

Q. What is the Regional Tournament?

A. INDAC is open to students in schools across India. There are 5 age divisions: Elementary (grades 3 & 4), Intermediate (grades 5 and 6), Middle (grades 7 and 8), Junior Varsity (grades 9 and 10) and Varsity (grades 11 and 12). The championship has 3 main stages. The first stage is the Online Regional Qualifying Exam or ORQE. Students who score 50% or more will automatically qualify for the Regional Tournament. The Regional Tournament is an online contest, conducted exactly on the lines of IAC’s Online Regional Tournaments, with questions, formats, structure and conduction organized by the US team. It comprises of Quiz Bee (Prelims) and Quiz Bee Play-Offs (Finals). Students in the top 50 % at the Regional Tournament will automatically qualify for international IAC championships such as the Asian Academic Championship (AAC) – in Khao Lak, Thailand (June 2026) and the International Geography Championships in Khao Lak, Thailand (July 2026).

Q. Which are the countries in which IAC contest happens?

A. IAC conducts International Bee and Bowl tournaments in different years in different countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The Asian Academic Championship is conducted every year in Thailand for students in Asian countries. In the summer of 2026, an International Geography Championship, consisting of Geography Bee, Bowl and a whole clutch of other quizzes and exams will be held in Khao Lak, Thailand. Corresponding history, science and environmental science tournaments will be held annually in other countries over the next couple of years.

Q. What are Bowl Events in INDAC?

A. Bowl events are team events. INDAC will conduct one bowl event, Academic Bowl, while the other subjects will all be Bee (individual) events. Students in India who qualify for and compete in the AAC and/or International Geography Championship are free to team up and participate in Bowl Events as well.

Q. Where to register for Online Regional Qualifying Examination (ORQE)?

A. Sign up here.

Q. What is the mode of payment in INDAC?

A. INDAC payments can be made either individually or through your school. Payments can be made via bank transfer, UPI or other means. Please contact us for more information.

Q. After being in the top 50% of the INDAC Regional Tournament, how can we apply for IAC?

A. Our team will assist you to apply for IAC.

• For more information on IAC - IAC
• For more information on AAC - AAC
• For more information on International Geography Championship - International Geography Championship

Q. Will the National and International Events of IAC be media covered?

A. All winners and qualifying champions at the national and international tournaments will be prominently featured across IAC & INDAC social media handles.

Q. I can see the sample papers on the website, do we have any study material as well?

A. Yes, we will provide study material as well as mentoring sessions to students and schools once you sign up for the International Tournament.

Q. Is there any negative marking in the Bee and Bowl buzzer rounds?

A. The final rounds of bee and the bowl tournaments have a marking scheme that includes negatives. Quiz Bee and Quiz Bowl scoring are given here and here. Scoring will also be explained in person on the day of the event.

Q. I have paid for a Basic RT Package. I’d like to upgrade. Can I? How?

A. Yes, you can. You can upgrade up to 1 week before the Regional Tournament. Please contact us to upgrade your package.

Q. I have paid for one subject (Prodigy). I want to add a subject. Can I? How?

A. Yes, you can. Go to INDAC and follow the steps to sign up for one or more extra subjects.

Q. I have paid for two subjects (Expert). I want to add a subject. Can I? How?

A. Yes, you can. Go to INDAC and follow the steps to sign up for one or more extra subjects.

Q. I have paid for two subjects (Expert). I want to subtract a subject. Can I? How?

A. You are eligible to participate in all events for which you have paid. You are, of course, allowed to sit out events that you do not feel up to participating in. However, once you have signed up for a package, no refunds are possible.

Q. I have paid for three subjects (Genius). I want to subtract a subject. Can I? How?

A. You are eligible to participate in all events for which you have paid. You are, of course, allowed to sit out events that you do not feel up to participating in. However, once you have signed up for a package, no refunds are possible.

Q. I have paid for three subjects (Genius). I want to subtract two subjects. Can I? How?

A. You are eligible to participate in all events for which you have paid. You are, of course, allowed to sit out events that you do not feel up to participating in. However, once you have signed up for a package, no refunds are possible.

Q. If I have signed up for a Loaded Package, do I have to participate in all events? Can I skip any?

A. You are eligible to participate in all events for which you have paid. You are, of course, allowed to sit out events that you do not feel up to participating in. However, once you have signed up for a package, no refunds are possible.

Q. What if I fall ill on the day of the Regional Tournament? Do I get a refund?

A. We do hope you will not fall ill, but if you do, you are eligible to participate in any Regional Tournament scheduled thereafter. Please let us know and we would be happy to accommodate you in one of our forthcoming tournaments. If you are unable to make it for any of those, we will arrange to accommodate you in one of the IAC online tournaments upon payment of the fee difference. Please let us know, we are happy to help.

Q. What is the INDAC Regional Tournament Schedule?

A. Please find the schedule here.

Q. I have paid for a Basic Package. Can I play one or more Spelling Bees?

A. Yes, you can upgrade to the Loaded Package. Please contact Akshay at +918860774325 for details.

Q. I have paid for a Basic Package. Can I take one or more Olympiad Exams?

A. Yes, you can upgrade to the Loaded Package. Please contact Akshay at +918860774325 for details.

Q. What software(s) would I need for the INDAC Online Regional Tournament?

A. The Online Regional Tournament will be conducted on Zoom, so if you don’t already have it, please download Zoom. The buzzer system required for the Online Tournament is GoodBuzz, we will share a link with all participants 48 hours before the tournament. All buzzers will be checked during the briefing before the Bee Rounds.

Q. On what device(s) do I play the INDAC Online Regional Tournament?

A. You should have 2 devices – we recommend at least 1 laptop or desktop device with a properly working video camera, and one more device, which can be a phone or tab. All devices must be fully charged or chargeable without the student having to change position during the tournament.

Q. Can my parent watch me play?

A. Parents, teachers, coaches and families are not permitted to sit in the same room as participating student(s). However, they can join the tournament as spectators by logging in on a different device in a different room.

Q. Is the Academic Bowl going to be played?

A. Yes! We have about a dozen schools eligible to play the Academic Bowl this year. We are in touch with them with the schedule, names of students (and age divisions) from the same school and details on how to form teams within an age division.

Q. There aren’t enough INDAC participants from my school in my age division. Can I play the Academic Bowl?

A. Very sorry, but you cannot. Please read the Quiz Bowl Rules.

Q. I have signed up for a Loaded package. How do I take an Olympiad Exam, Spelling Bee, and/or Word Search Game?

A. We are happy to confirm that the Olympiad Exams and Spelling Bee will be conducted in real time over the April 18-19 weekend. Each Loaded Package includes 2 Subject Olympiad Exams and a Subject Spelling Bee. Here are the details:
Olympiad Exams:
Each subject offers two Olympiad Exams, one with text-based questions and one with image-based questions. The exam will have 50 MCQ style questions. In order to adapt the Olympiad Exam to an online format, whilst maintaining the integrity of the competition, the questions will be presented online (on Zoom) on a PPTM, where they will play one by one. Participants will be in different breakout rooms based on their age division. They will do the exam while keeping their web camera on. They will select their answers (A, B, C or D) and fill in the oval of their choice on an OMR sheet. After the Olympiad Exam time is up, they should take a clear scan picture of the sheet and email it to us within 60 seconds. The web camera cannot be switched off until after the email is sent and we have received it. NB: If you have opted for the Loaded Package and are interested in participating in only 1 Olympiad Exam or even 0 Olympiad Exams, you can do so. Olympiad Exams are optional, not compulsory. Please inform us in advance in case you wish to skip one or both exams.
Spelling Bees:
The Subject Spelling Bee will be conducted immediately after the welcome and briefing, before the start of the Subject Bee. The Spelling Bee will be conducted live on Zoom, in separate breakout rooms based on age divisions. Participants will have to type in answers using a special software, the link to which will be shared two days before the Regional Tournament. 30 questions will be asked. NB: If you have opted for the Loaded Package and are not interested in participating in the Subject Spelling Bee(s), you can do so. Subject Spelling Bees are optional, not compulsory. Please inform us in advance in case you wish to skip the Spelling Bee(s).
Word Search Game:
The Word Search Game will have 15 answers hidden in the grid. In order to adapt the Word Search Game to an online format, whilst maintaining the integrity of the competition, the Word Search Game with 15 answers and clues will be shown online (on Zoom), and a Google Form will be sent to all eligible participants. Participants will be in different breakout rooms based on their age division. They will fill the Google form with the correct answers while keeping their web camera on, and submit the form at the end of the allotted time (15 minutes).

Q. Do Olympiad Exam/Spelling Bee/Word Search Game scores count towards my overall Bee performance?

A. No, each participant’s Subject Olympiad Exam, Subject Spelling Bee and Word Search Game performance will be corrected, scores collated and leaderboard generated. The top 3 performing students for Subject Olympiad Exam and Subject Spelling Bee in each age division are awarded certificates & medals. The top 3 performing students in the Word Search Game will be awarded certificates.

Q. What are the Gold Set tournaments?

A. The Gold Set tournaments are simply another way for students to compete at the Regional level, but against students from around the world online. For reference, there are Asia-wide online events organized by our China Director, as also Europe-wide, Canada-wide, and USA-wide online regional tournaments. Gold Set is similar to these, but brings all the students together. They're certainly not meant as a replacement for the Asian or World Championship level events, and the winners are not recognized as such, just as the winners of these online events.

Q. How do I register for the Gold Set tournaments?

A. You can register for the Gold Set tournaments here.

Q. Why would I opt for a Gold Set Tournament?

A. You could opt for a Gold Set Tournament if:

• the INDAC Regional Tournament dates do not suit you
• you would like an international flavor RT before reaching the in-person international tournaments
• o you are comfortable with an “international” Regional Tournament (your opponents will be from around the world, and the timings will be similarly set such that they are convenient for the majority of Gold Set participants)