CBSE Aryabhata Ganit Challenge 2026: Registration Dates, Fee, Exam

Maths is getting a competitive stage this winter. CBSE has thrown open the Aryabhata Ganit Challenge (AGC) 2026 to students of Classes VIII to X in its affiliated schools, and the clock is already running. School registration for the first stage began on 4 November 2026 and shuts on 18 November 2026, so the first move sits with schools, not students.

The contest checks how well students use maths in real, everyday situations, not just how fast they recall formulas. It runs in two rounds.

How the Aryabhata Ganit Challenge 2026 works

Stage 1 (School-Level): Schools run this one on their own campuses. CBSE puts the question paper and answer keys on its official portal, schools download them and conduct the test. There is no participation fee at this stage.

Stage 2 (National-Level): This is an online, computer-based test held by CBSE. Only the top three students from each school move up, and only schools that completed Stage 1 can enter it.

If more than three students tie at the highest score in Stage 1, a school may hold its own screening test to settle the top three.

Key dates for CBSE AGC 2026

Fee and payment

Stage 1 is free. For Stage 2, schools pay Rs.900/- per school, online, through Debit Card, Credit Card or NEFT at the time of Stage 2 registration. The Board has made it clear: fees once paid are non-refundable. The payment link opens only for schools that registered for the challenge within the deadline.

What the test looks like

Both stages run for one hour. The paper carries 40 marks, has only multiple-choice questions, and there is no negative marking. Content is drawn from Geometry and Spatial Sense, Quantitative Aptitude, Algebra, Data Analysis and Probability, Number Sense and Number System, and Mensuration.

Certificates and recognition

After Stage 2, the top 100 students from every CBSE region receive a Merit Certificate. Schools get a nudge too: the top 10 schools of each region with the highest number of students taking part in Stage 1 earn an Appreciation Certificate from the Board.

The AGC portal link is placed on the CBSE Academic website, www.cbseacademic.nic.in, along with the circular. Schools log in with their affiliation credentials, fill school details, pick their top three performers for Stage 2, and pay online.

Stuck somewhere? CBSE has given a helpline at +91-9968313254 (Phone and WhatsApp), working 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and an email at agccbse@cbseshiksha.in. Schools eyeing Stage 1 should finish registration before 18 November 2026.