Eklavya 25

EKLAVYA 2025, an inter-departmental entrepreneurial fest organised by the School of Business and Management – BBA in collaboration with Christ University School of Business Management (CUSBMA), was conducted from 4th to 6th December 2025 at the Pune Lavasa Campus of CHRIST (Deemed to be University). The event was conceptualised as an experiential, elimination-based academic fest aimed at evaluating higher-order managerial and entrepreneurial competencies among students. With participation from over 100 students and the support of 16 student volunteers, the fest reflected strong student engagement and effective coordination under the guidance of the event coordinator, Mr. Sharad Gupta.

From an IQAC perspective, the design and execution of EKLAVYA 2025 demonstrated clear alignment with outcome-based education and experiential learning principles. The core philosophy, inspired by the character of Eklavya from the Mahabharata, emphasised self-learning, adaptability, ethical reasoning, and decision-making under limited guidance. This innovative thematic grounding distinguished the event from conventional academic competitions and provided a meaningful framework for assessing real-world managerial competencies.

The multi-day, multi-round structure ensured progressive skill development and assessment. Day 1 introduced participants to the mechanics of the “House of Cards” model, where face cards and suits determined the nature of challenges. This gamified approach enhanced engagement while also testing strategic awareness and adaptability. The elimination process, driven by collective card outcomes, introduced uncertainty similar to real business environments, encouraging teams to think critically and respond dynamically.

Day 2 focused on organisational coordination and execution planning through Round 2 (Queen of Clubs and Spades). The dual-track format assessed both operational planning and crisis preparedness. Teams demonstrated teamwork, internal alignment, and structured thinking while addressing industry-specific execution challenges and high-pressure crisis scenarios. Round 3 (King of Spades) marked a transition from planning to execution, requiring participants to create functional websites representing their business identity. This round effectively evaluated cross-functional coordination, digital competency, and consistency in branding and strategic positioning.

Day 3 culminated with Round 4 (Ace), the most complex and integrative stage of the fest. Participants were exposed to layered corporate crisis simulations involving legal reasoning, statutory and regulatory compliance, stakeholder communication, and fiduciary responsibilities. This round strongly reflected corporate sustainability and governance principles, testing students’ ability to integrate legal, ethical, and strategic considerations under pressure. The depth and realism of this round were particularly noteworthy from a quality assurance standpoint.

Overall, EKLAVYA 2025 successfully fostered analytical thinking, teamwork, crisis management, execution proficiency, and corporate resilience among participants. The event concluded with a valedictory ceremony recognising top-performing teams, reinforcing motivation and achievement. IQAC notes EKLAVYA 2025 as a best practice in experiential and simulation-based learning. It is recommended that future editions incorporate structured assessment rubrics, participant reflection reports, and formal mapping of learning outcomes to Programme Outcomes (POs) and Programme Specific Outcomes (PSOs) to further strengthen academic documentation and continuous quality enhancement.