UPES Dehradun · Journalist Forum 2026

Quill SummitReport. Verify. Lead.

Two days, four rounds and one winner. 98 young journalists from across North India meet at UPES Dehradun to report under real deadlines.

Check your admission See the itinerary
  • Dates3 – 4 December 2026
  • Format1 night · 2 days
  • VenueUPES Bidholi Campus
  • StayCampus hostel
  • Winner₹1,01,000
1,439Applications received
98Delegates selected
6.8%Selection rate
4Competition rounds
About the forum

A newsroom for two days

Quill Summit is a residential journalism forum organised by a UPES student society. Delegates do not just listen to talks. They report, verify, write and present, and are judged by working journalists.

We received 1,439 applications from students across North India. After a careful screening, 98 delegates have been selected for the residential programme on the UPES campus in Dehradun.

Delegates are placed in 14 newsrooms of seven, each guided by an editor-mentor. Over two days they cover a live beat, question a spokesperson at a press conference, build a front page against a breaking story, and the top ten present on camera to the jury.

Alongside the competition, the programme includes a keynote on reporting in the age of AI and misinformation, a panel of senior editors, a hands-on masterclass in verification and fact-checking, and a workshop on mobile journalism.

Stay is in the UPES campus hostel for the night of 3 December, with all meals included. Every delegate receives a certificate, and the winner receives a cash prize of ₹1,01,000.

Winner's prize

₹1,01,000

One delegate will be named the winner of Quill Summit 2026 and receive a cash prize of one lakh one thousand rupees, along with a certificate of excellence.

The winner is chosen by the jury after the Grand Finale, based on combined scores from all four rounds.

The competition

Four rounds

Rounds 1 to 3 decide the top ten. The Grand Finale decides the winner. Every piece is scored by the jury on the same five criteria.

    Itinerary

    Two days, hour by hour

    Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December 2026. Times may shift slightly on the day. Delegates get updates at the help desk and from their editor-mentor.

    Venue, stay and travel

    UPES Bidholi Campus

    Bidholi Campus, P.O. Bidholi Via Premnagar, Dehradun – 248007, Uttarakhand. The campus sits in the foothills of the Shivalik range.

    Getting here

    • Dehradun Railway Station: about 22 km
    • Dehradun ISBT: about 18 km
    • Jolly Grant Airport: about 50 km
    • Free shuttles from the railway station and ISBT at 07:00 and 08:30 on 3 December

    Hostel stay

    • Separate hostels for women and men
    • Shared rooms with bedding provided
    • All meals from breakfast on 3 December to lunch on 4 December
    • Hostel in-time 22:30, lights out 23:00

    What to bring

    • Admission letter, printed or on your phone
    • Government photo ID and college ID
    • Laptop or phone, charger and a notebook
    • Warm clothes: December nights in Dehradun drop to about 5 °C
    • Formal wear for the finale and ceremony
    FAQ

    Questions

    Can't find your answer? Write to the organising team.

    How do I know if I have been selected?

    Sign in on the Delegate Login page with your application ID and the email you applied with. Selected delegates will see their admission letter, which they can print or save as a PDF.

    Is there a fee for the programme or the stay?

    No. Hostel stay and all meals during the programme are provided for selected delegates. Delegates cover their own travel to Dehradun.

    When should I arrive?

    Registration is open from 07:00 to 09:30 on Thursday 3 December. The inaugural ceremony starts at 10:30, and late arrivals may miss the newsroom briefing.

    Can I arrive the evening before?

    The hostel stay covers the night of 3 December only. If you need to arrive on 2 December, contact the organising team in advance so we can try to help.

    Do I need a laptop?

    A laptop is recommended for Rounds 1 to 3. A smartphone with a keyboard works if you don't have one. Charging points are available in the newsroom labs.

    Can parents or friends accompany me?

    Only registered delegates can stay in the hostel and enter competition venues. Parents dropping off delegates are welcome at the help desk.

    How is the winner decided?

    Rounds 1 to 3 are scored to select the top ten. The jury picks the winner after the Grand Finale using combined scores from all four rounds. The jury's decision is final.

    Selected delegates: your admission letter is waiting.

    Delegate Login