The Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), is organising the CAG–ICSSR Research Article Competition across all States and Union Territories. The Competition aims to promote academic research and policy-oriented analysis based on Audit Reports and public finance issues.
Research Articles are invited on the following themes:
(i) Fiscal Federalism and Governance,
(ii) Social Sector Spending,
(iii) Skilling, Employment and MSMEs, and
(iv) Empowering Urban and Rural Local Bodies.
The Competition is open to full-time Undergraduate/Postgraduate and Doctoral students of recognised institutions under UGC 2(f)/12(B) or Institutes of National Importance. Participation shall be in online mode only through the ICSSR portal.
Participants are required to register on the ICSSR website through the link provided, complete the online application form, upload the bonafide certificate and submit the Research Article in PDF format as per the prescribed guidelines. The Research Article must adhere to the MLA 9th Edition citation style and should not disclose the identity of the participant.
The Competition offers attractive cash awards at both State/UT and National levels. At the State/UT level, prizes of ₹75,000, ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 are prescribed for first, second and third positions respectively in each category. At the National level, prizes of ₹1,25,000, ₹1,00,000 and ₹75,000 are prescribed for first, second and third positions respectively in each category.
The submission window for State/UT level Competition shall remain open from 01 July 2026 to 31 August 2026 and the State/UT level results shall be declared by 15 September 2026. The National level Competition shall be conducted from 01 August 2026 to 30 September 2026 and the National level results shall be declared by 30 October 2026.
Detailed guidelines, timelines, eligibility conditions and State-specific Audit Report links are available on this website. Interested students and research scholars are encouraged to participate in large numbers. The step-by-step process for registration and submission of applications is as follows.
Please visit www.icssr.org for complete details and guidelines