OPA announces Kick-Off for the 7th Edition of Print Olympiad: Igniting Innovation in India's Printing and Packaging Future on a Global Stage

Ludhiana, October 17, 2025: In a thrilling escalation that propels India's printing talent onto the world stage, the Offset Printers Association (OPA) has officially launched preparations for the 7th Edition of the Print Olympiad, the nation's premier talent hunt designed to nurture the next generation of print professionals. Conceived in 2014 by visionary Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra, this biennial event continues to bridge academia and industry, fostering creativity, technical prowess, and out-of-the-box thinking among students across India. With a legacy of empowering thousands of aspiring printers, the 2026 edition promises enhanced inclusivity, new competitions, and groundbreaking opportunities—culminating in an electrifying grand finale at the prestigious All in Print China exhibition in Shanghai during October 2026. This international debut marks a monumental leap, offering participants unparalleled global exposure amid one of the world's largest printing showcases, where cutting-edge technologies and industry leaders converge to shape the future of print.

The kick-off meeting, held virtually on October 6, 2025, via Zoom and convened by Prof. Kamal Chopra, brought together esteemed educators, industry advisors, and coordinators from printing institutions nationwide. Attendees included Dr. M. Nanda Kumar, Dr. J. P. Nirmala, Kanwardeep Sharma, Prof. Shyam, Prasad Puranik, Dr. Shammi Mehra, Dr. Bijender Kaushik, Prof. Madhura Mahajan, and Shankhya Debnath, with Mr. Ashwani Gupta joining as an advisor. The session underscored the event's evolution since its inception, highlighting its regional structure—divided into North, South, East, and West zones—with regional rounds leading to the adrenaline-pumping national finale in Shanghai.

"Print Olympiad is more than a competition; it's a movement to preserve and propel the eternal legacy of printing, which Victor Hugo called ‘The greatest event in history,'" said Prof. Kamal Chopra. "In a digital age, we're equipping India's youthful workforce—over 250,000 printing presses strong and employing 2.5 million people—with the skills to innovate, outsource globally, and drive sustainable growth. This edition builds on our success by making it even more accessible and rewarding, and the Shanghai finale will be a game-changer, thrusting our top talents into the international spotlight for collaborations, inspirations, and career launches that transcend borders."

Key highlights from the meeting include several innovative proposals unanimously approved to boost participation and relevance, setting the stage for an even more dynamic competition:
•    Dedicated Competition for Diploma Students: Responding to suggestions from Mr. Beer Bahadur of Patna Institute of Printing Technology and Dr. Nanda Kumar, a new annual event exclusively for students pursuing Diplomas or Certificates in Printing and/or Packaging from recognized Indian institutions will be introduced. This expands the existing T. Prasad Memorial competition at the Northern Regional Institute of Printing Technology (NRIPT), Prayagraj. Regional rounds will lead to a national finale at NRIPT, where the winner receives a Gold Medal and a cash prize of ₹25,000. Diploma students retain the option to compete in the main Print Olympiad, addressing the gap where they currently struggle against degree-level participants. With nearly 35 diploma institutes in India, this initiative is expected to significantly increase engagement.
•    Certificates of Participation: Prof. Madhura Mahajan proposed issuing certificates to all students registering and participating in Round 1 (the elimination round), a move accepted by OPA to encourage broader involvement and recognize effort at every level.
•    Enhanced Format for Talented Finalists: To spotlight innovation, finalists in the Print Olympiad will now present a prototype or innovation alongside their performance, earning additional marks toward determining the winner. This change aims to reward practical creativity and align the competition more closely with industry needs.
•    Innovation Challenge: A separate competition will invite students to tackle innovative projects for the development and growth of the printing and packaging sector. Capable participants who solve or develop such innovations will be awarded a substantial cash prize of ₹5,00,000, further incentivizing real-world problem-solving.

Prof. Madhura Mahajan has been appointed as Chief Coordinator for the 7th Edition, overseeing networking among 13 regional coordinators, institutions, and students. "I'm honoured to lead this transformative initiative," Prof. Mahajan stated. "Print Olympiad empowers students to push boundaries, fostering collaboration, communication, and critical thinking essential for a dynamic industry. By integrating hands-on experience with academic knowledge, we're preparing leaders who will shape the future of print—and the Shanghai finale will amplify this excitement, connecting our innovators with global pioneers in an unforgettable clash of ideas and technologies."

As part of OPA's 'Print Chetna' initiative, Print Olympiad addresses global challenges in the printing market, such as technological advancements and digital disruption, by inspiring young minds to embrace printing as a viable career. The competition's rigorous process begins with online multiple-choice question (MCQ) tests—separate sets for diploma/vocational and engineering students—requiring a minimum of 70% to qualify, with no negative marking. Regional finals, hosted in person by top institutions, involve speeches on spot-given topics judged by impartial experts from industry, academia, and administration. The four regional champions then vie for the national title of 'Top Print Student of India,' accompanied by a certificate of excellence and ₹1,00,000 prize, all unfolding amid the vibrant energy of All in Print China in Shanghai.

India's printing industry, one of the world's largest, stands poised for global leadership, leveraging its demographic advantage and ambitious youth. Print Olympiad plays a pivotal role in this journey, cultivating professionals equipped for outsourcing, sustainability, and innovation—now with the added thrill of a Shanghai showcase that promises to ignite cross-cultural sparks and open doors to worldwide opportunities.