The Gullak Competition 2025 - GUIDELINES

Essay Breakdown and Writing Guidelines

Main Essay Question: “Imagine you received ₹1000 (approximately $12) tomorrow, and you could only use it to improve your future. How would you spend, save, or invest it and why?”

To help you structure your essay, we have outlined key sections along with guiding questions and expectations.

1. Introduction

Guiding Question: Why is careful money management important for you and your future?

Expectations: A clear opening statement. An explanation of why you think money management is important in your life and how it aligns with any goals you may have.

2. Understanding the Value of ₹1000

Guiding Question: What significance does ₹1000 hold in your life, and why must it be used thoughtfully?

Expectations: Realistic assessment of the amount’s value in your situation. What all can you buy with 1000 rupees and what is its real value in markets today. A brief analysis along these lines. Awareness of the difference between short‑term spending and long‑term benefit.

3. Saving Strategy

Guiding Question: If you decide to save a portion, where would you keep it, and what is your reasoning?

Expectations: Specific mention of safe savings options. Explanation of how saving supports security and discipline.

4. Investment Choices

Guiding Question: If you choose to invest, what methods would you select, and why?

Expectations: Clear reasoning on suitability, including basic awareness of risk, return, and diversification.

5. Personal Growth and Education

Guiding Question: How would you use part of the money to enhance your skills, education, or personal development?

Expectations: Specific suggestions with direct connection to your future goals or aspirations.

6. Challenges and Solutions

Guiding Question: What challenges might you face in carrying out your plan, and how would you address them?

Expectations: Identification of realistic obstacles. Practical and achievable solutions.

Official Rules

To ensure fairness, integrity, and meaningful participation, all entrants are required to follow the rules outlined below.

1. Eligibility

  • Open to all children and youth aged below 18 years, divided into three categories: Junior (Below 12 years), Intermediate (12–15 years), Senior (15–18 years).
  • No registration fee is required to participate.

2. Submission Requirements

  • Essay Topic: “Imagine you received ₹1000 (approximately $12) tomorrow, and you could only use it to improve your future. How would you spend, save, or invest it and why?”
  • Word Limits: Junior: Up to 800 words, Intermediate: Up to 1500 words, Senior: Up to 2000 words.
  • Format: Typed in English, Hindi (preferably) or any Native Language. Submitted via the official Form provided on the competition website.
  • Deadline: All essays must be submitted by 15th October 2025 (11:59 PM IST).
  • Results Announcement: Winners will be declared by 15th November 2025 on the official website.

3. Strict Anti-Cheating Policy

  • All essays must be entirely the original work of the participant.
  • The use of AI writing tools is strictly prohibited.
  • Plagiarism checks and AI‑detection tools will be used. Submissions suspected of AI generation or copied content will be immediately disqualified and barred from following editions of the competition.
  • Parents/teachers may guide in brainstorming, but the essay content must be written solely by the participant.

4. Judging Criteria

Essays will be evaluated by a panel of professors and finance educators on creativity, financial knowledge, practicality, clarity, and language.

5. Prizes

  • Winners: ₹1000 each (one winner per category) and a certificate of achievement.
  • Runners‑Up: Certificate of Distinction.

6. General Rules

  • Each participant may submit only one essay.
  • Essays submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
  • Essays must adhere to the word limits for their category.
  • The decision of the judging panel will be final and binding.
  • By submitting, participants agree to allow excerpts of their essays to be displayed (digitally or in print) by The Gullak Competition for educational and promotional purposes.

Judging Rubric

Criteria Junior (Below 12) Intermediate (12–15) Senior (15–18) Guideline Breakdown
Creativity & Originality 30 25 20 Ideas must be fresh, individual, and not copied. Demonstrates independent thought and unique perspective. Avoids generic or repetitive content.
Financial Knowledge 20 30 35 Shows clear understanding of saving and investment options. Mentions age-appropriate alternatives beyond the stock market. Reflects awareness of risk, return, and long-term planning.
Practicality & Feasibility 25 25 25 Plans must be realistic. Demonstrates sensible allocation of resources. Avoids exaggerated or impractical proposals.
Clarity & Structure 20 15 15 Essay follows a logical flow: introduction, body, conclusion. Arguments are coherent and well-organized. Writing maintains focus on the main question.
Language & Presentation 5 5 5 Grammar and spelling are accurate and age-appropriate. Vocabulary is simple yet effective. Presentation is neat and easy to read.
Total 100 100 100