CASEQuest – Cracking Real Problems, One Idea at a Time

Grant Thornton Bharat’s National Case Study Competition for Undergraduate Students

CASEQuest is not just a case competition — it is a nationwide platform for discovery, learning, and transformation. Built exclusively for undergraduate students, it opens a rare window into the world of consulting, where ideas are not simply discussed but measured against their ability to solve pressing, real-world challenges. With every edition, CASEQuest raises the bar for how young minds can engage with industry-relevant issues, sharpen their critical thinking, and demonstrate leadership long before they enter the professional arena.

The competition was launched in 2024, and its debut year set a powerful precedent. Over 800+ teams representing 80+ unique campuses stepped into the challenge, with more than 2,000 students bringing their energy and ideas to the table. After rigorous evaluation, 55 semi-finalist teams were selected from 16 campuses, and finally 10 outstanding finalist teams from 8 institutions advanced to the grand stage. The theme that year — Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) — inspired participants to approach sensitive, multi-dimensional issues with empathy, creativity, and strategic clarity. The quality of ideas that emerged reaffirmed the need for such a platform, one that allows undergraduates to showcase not only their intellectual agility but also their ability to think beyond the obvious.

In 2025, CASEQuest returns with even greater ambition, anchored in a theme that touches every individual and organization in today’s world: “Cyber Crime-Free India.” As the nation’s dependence on digital ecosystems grows, so too does the threat of cybercrime — from financial fraud and phishing to identity theft and data breaches. This year’s edition will challenge participants to confront one of the most urgent issues of our digital age, requiring them to think like policymakers, innovators, and problem-solvers all at once. Each round of the competition has been designed to revolve around this central theme, compelling participants to think critically about prevention, awareness, strategy, and sustainable solutions in the context of cyber safety. Our promise to participants: a structured, transparent competition that rewards insight, commercial thinking, and executable recommendations — plus tangible career outcomes (PPIs, live projects, experiential exposure). Are you ready to conquer the quest? Form your dream team, brainstorm your best ideas and get set to conquer CASEQuest! For some, it becomes a stage to build confidence; for others, a pathway into future opportunities. For everyone, it is an unforgettable journey of learning and growth.

Why CASEQuest? – Beyond a Competition

CASEQuest is designed as more than a contest — it’s an experience that shapes your career-ready skills. By participating, you will hone:

• Problem-Solving: Learn how to break down complex, real-world issues into structured, practical solutions.
• Strategic Thinking: Develop the ability to think ahead, evaluate options, and recommend actionable strategies.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work in teams to brainstorm, ideate, and present compelling narratives that influence decision-making.
• Creative Confidence: Build innovative approaches to address challenges, not just with logic but also with originality.
• Exposure to Industry-Relevant Themes: Work on issues like cybercrime free India that sit at the intersection of business, policy, and society.

🎓 Eligibility – Who Can Be a Part of CASEQuest?

CASEQuest is open exclusively to full-time undergraduate students in India.

✅ You are eligible if:

• You are currently pursuing a full-time undergraduate program (BBA, B.Com, BA, B.Sc., or equivalent). B.tech students are not eligible.
• You have completed 10+2 schooling or equivalent.
• Your academic session has officially started.

❌ You are not eligible if:

• Your classes have not yet commenced.
• You are enrolled in a distance learning or correspondence course.
• You have already graduated or completed your undergraduate program.
• You are not a full-time student.

🏆 The CASEQuest Journey – Step by Step

Every round of CASEQuest designed like a real consulting project — starting with quick thinking, moving to structured problem-solving, and culminating in the pressure of presenting to industry leaders. Each round is a step deeper into the world of strategy, teamwork, and bold ideas. Think of it as three gates: each one tighter, more exacting, and closer to the GT experience.

Step 0 — Team formation & Registration

• Team size: 3 – 5 members. Try to choose complementary skills (analysis, finance, research, presentation).
• Please make sure to enter the correct email id and contact number for each participant.
• Platform: Register and submit via Where U Elevate (create account → register team → upload team declaration).

After registration, all teams are invited to the Orientation — a mandatory live session where we explain rules, deliverables, evaluation criteria, give preparation tips and have some fun.

Preliminary Round – 90 Seconds to Spark Change

Your journey begins with a creative challenge that demands both clarity and originality. Every registered team will receive a topic related to the central theme – Cyber Crime-Free India. This could be anything from combating phishing attacks to promoting digital hygiene, from policy awareness to behavioral change.

Your task? To craft a 90-second video or reel that brings your perspective to life. Think of it as your elevator pitch to the nation — quick, compelling, and impossible to ignore. We want to see how well you can simplify complex problems and communicate them in a way that resonates with people.

• What you will receive: A specific cybercrime-related topic, shared via email.
• Your deliverable: A video/reel, not exceeding 90 seconds, clear audio-visual quality; originality is non-negotiable.
• Tone we want: Bold, relatable, and impactful. It should feel fresh, authentic, and persuasive.
• Judging focus: Creativity, originality, connection to theme, clarity of thought, and ability to engage.
• Format rules: Not more than 90 seconds. Filename for submission: CASEQuest 2025_Preliminary Round_Team Name_College Name.

👉 Get this right, and you unlock your ticket to the semi-finals.

Semi-Finale Round – The Consulting Mindset

Once shortlisted, your team enters the arena of structured problem-solving. Semi-finalists will receive a detailed case study, crafted by Grant Thornton experts, built around cybercrime challenges. Along with the case, you will be given specific problem statements that need to be addressed.

• What you will receive: A case study and accompanying problem statements, sent over mail.
• Your deliverable: A detailed written report, 10 – 12 pages long.
• Tone we want: Professional, structured, and evidence-based. Your work should read like it belongs in a consulting boardroom.
• Judging focus: Depth of analysis, strategic thinking, originality of insights, clarity of recommendations, and feasibility.
• Format rules: 10 – 12 pages (excluding the introduction/thankyou slide). Filename for submission: CASEQuest 2025_Semi-Finale Round_ Team Name_ College Name.

👉 Crack this, and you’re just one step away from the finale.

Grand Finale – The Ultimate Pitch

The final stage is where everything comes together — knowledge, creativity, teamwork, and confidence. The finalist teams will be given a fresh problem statement, unrelated to the previous rounds. This ensures every team starts at the same line, ready to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet.

Your deliverable this time is a 13 – 15 slide presentation, to be delivered in-person before an esteemed panel of Grant Thornton leaders. The finale tests not just your solution, but your ability to tell a story, influence decision-makers, and hold your ground under the spotlight. Every slide you present must have purpose, precision, and punch.

• What you will receive: A new Grant Thornton problem statement, revealed only at this stage.
• Your deliverable: A 13 – 15 slide presentation, to be presented live. Presentation time - 25 minutes followed by Q&A of 15 minutes.
• Tone we want: Persuasive, visionary, solution-driven, concise content, data visualization encouraged and consistent formatting. Think of this as your boardroom moment.
• Judging focus: Insight quality, strategic sharpness, practicality, storytelling ability, design, and presentation skills.
• Format rules: 13 – 15 slides (excluding introduction/thankyou slide). Filename for submission: CASEQuest 2025_Finale Round_Team Name_College Name.

👉 This is the big stage. Only the strongest ideas and the sharpest presentations will walk away as champions of CASEQuest.

🎁 What’s in it for You?

CASEQuest is more than just a trophy on your shelf. It’s an experience that can shape your career.

• 🏆 Cash Prizes & Trophies for winning teams.
• 💼 Pre-Placement Interview (PPI) Opportunities for the champions.
• 📊 Live Project Opportunities for finalist teams.
• 🚀 Experiential Day at GT for the finalists — mentorship, fun and food and a firsthand look at consulting life.
• 📜 Participation Certificates for for everyone who made their submissions in the semi finale round.
• 🌐 Networking & Exposure — meet GT leaders, and peers from across India’s top campuses.

📌 Guidelines

• Team size: 3 – 5 full-time undergraduate students from the same college/university.
• Deliverables: strictly adhere to format, submission rules, and deadlines.
• Originality: plagiarism or pre-used submissions will lead to disqualification.
• Communication: all updates will be shared with the all the members of the team (given the email id entered are correct and valid) via email.
• Submissions: must follow the prescribed filename format and be uploaded only on the official platform.

CASEQuest isn’t about handing you a stage — it’s about watching you own it. It’s about that spark in a 90-second reel that makes people pause, the depth in a case document that makes judges nod, and the confidence in a final presentation that turns ideas into impact. This competition is your chance to step outside the classroom bubble and test yourself against problems that don’t come with answer keys. It’s a place where theory meets reality, and where undergraduates transform from learners into doers. So, if you’ve ever believed that your ideas can spark change, that your team can think differently, and that you’re ready to be taken seriously by industry leaders — CASEQuest is waiting.

⚡ Because the future doesn’t belong to those who play it safe. It belongs to those who take the quest.