How to spot genuine contests and avoid scams in India
The seven warning signs of fake contests, scholarships and prize messages, and the checks that take two minutes.
Read the guideFree contests, scholarships and hackathons you can actually win.
iwin.in gathers genuine, free-to-enter opportunities for Indian students, graduates and creators in one place, with guides that help you apply well and tools that keep you on deadline.
42
verified programmes in the directory, each linked to its official page
12
categories, from olympiads to startup grants
₹0
to use iwin.in, and every listing is free to enter
10
in-depth guides on applying, winning and staying safe
Popular right now
Recurring programmes with a strong track record. Each card shows the usual entry window. Always confirm the current deadline on the official page.
How to win more often
- Find fits, not lotteries. Filter by your level and skills so every application has a real chance.
- Track every deadline. Save programmes and add dates to your calendar with our planner.
- Apply with a plan. Follow our step-by-step guides for essays, hackathons and interviews.
- Stay safe. Run anything suspicious through the scam checker before sharing documents.
Angela Lee Duckworth on why perseverance predicts success better than talent. More in Watch & learn.
Guides that get you shortlisted
Scholarship application checklist: documents, timeline and common mistakes
A practical, month-by-month checklist for Indian students applying to government and private scholarships.
Read the guideHow to write a scholarship essay that gets shortlisted
A clear structure, real examples of what works and a revision checklist for statements of purpose and scholarship essays.
Read the guideHow to win your first hackathon: a 48-hour playbook
Team formation, idea selection, scope, demo and pitch: a practical plan for students entering their first hackathon.
Read the guideTax on prize winnings in India (2026 update)
How TDS on contest, quiz and game winnings works under the Income-tax Act, 2025: the 30% rate, the ₹10,000 threshold and prizes in kind.
Read the guideTurn competition results into a portfolio that gets you hired
How students can convert hackathons, coding contests, design and writing competitions into proof of skill for internships and jobs.
Read the guideDaily GK quiz
Ten questions, fresh every round. Warm up for MyGov and campus quiz contests.
Play the quizPrize tax estimator
See how much of a prize you keep after TDS under the Income-tax Act, 2025.
Estimate taxRun a contest or scholarship? Reach the people who'll enter it.
List free-to-enter opportunities at no cost, or sponsor a featured placement, newsletter slot or an iwin challenge with your brand on the prize.
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iwin.in is run independently. Support pays for research, moderation, prizes for our own challenges and outreach to rural colleges.
Support with a chai or moreCommon questions
Is iwin.in free?
Yes. Browsing, alerts, tools and guides are free, and we only list opportunities that are free to enter.
Do you run the contests listed here?
No. Listings link to the organiser's official page. We run our own skill-based iwin challenges, which are clearly labelled.
How do you check listings?
Every listing links to an official organiser domain and is reviewed under our editorial policy. We never list paid lotteries, betting or fantasy games.