CaseQuest is the flagship business strategy and case-study competition of Strategia'27, the annual business strategy fest organised by Loyola College, Chennai. The competition is built around sharp analytical thinking, decision-making under pressure, and live presentation skills, and tests participants across a series of progressively challenging rounds.
The event opens with a two-part online qualifier, moves into a live branching case-study round, and concludes with a Grand Finale where the top teams present a brand-new case before a judging panel.
What Participants Are Evaluated On
- Depth of analysis
- Clarity and structure of explanation
- Quality of decision-making
- Awareness of trade-offs and risks
- Ability to adapt strategy
- Consistency of decisions
Eligibility and Team Rules
- Open to all registered undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Every round is played in teams of exactly two members; individual participation is not allowed at any stage.
- Both members register together, and the same two-member team continues across all rounds. Changes are permitted only in exceptional cases, at the Organizing Committee's discretion.
- A valid institutional ID card must be carried at all times and may be checked at any stage.
- Use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, etc.), internet search, or unauthorised notes and textbooks is strictly banned unless a round specifically allows it.
- Teams may only communicate with their own teammate; contact with other teams or outside help is not permitted.
- Only materials explicitly permitted for a round may be used; all other devices and references are prohibited.
- Only responses submitted through the official format or portal are evaluated; loose sheets and unofficial submissions are not considered.
- Once submitted, responses are final and cannot be edited or resubmitted.
- Violations such as AI use, plagiarism, impersonation, or unauthorised assistance lead to immediate disqualification.
- Decisions of the judges and Organizing Committee on evaluation, rules, and disputes are final and binding; no re-evaluation requests are entertained after results are declared.
- The Organizing Committee may revise rules, format, or schedule if required and will inform all participants in advance.
Stage 1: Online Qualifier (December 2026)
Hosted on Unstop, this is a two-part quiz that narrows the full field of registered teams down to the 50 teams advancing to Stage 2. Dates, time, and duration are to be announced.
- Part A - General Round (Current Affairs and Business Awareness): Open to all registered teams. Questions cover general current affairs together with foundational business and economic awareness. Each part includes a mix of regular questions and Star Questions, which carry bonus or higher marks. Teams are scored on total marks earned (regular plus Star Questions), and the top teams by cumulative score advance to Part B. Ties are broken by time taken to complete the round, with the faster team ranked higher.
- Part B - Advanced Business Round: A more in-depth quiz restricted to the top teams who cleared Part A, testing deeper business, finance, and industry knowledge. As in Part A, a mix of regular questions and higher-value Star Questions is used. The top 50 teams by cumulative score advance to Stage 2, with ties again broken by time taken.
Stage 2: The Case Study Round (15 February 2027)
The centrepiece of the event. Teams work through a live, branching business case and are evaluated on the judgment behind every decision, not just the decisions themselves. The Stage 2 case is released to qualifying teams only once Stage 1 (Parts A and B) has concluded and the qualifying teams are confirmed.
- Each case presents a company facing a real-world business challenge.
- Each case consists of four sequential decision points. At every stage, participants choose one of the available strategic options.
- The case follows a branching format: the option selected at each decision point determines the scenario and question presented next, so different teams may encounter different paths through the same case.
- At each decision point, teams must select one option and justify the decision using logical reasoning, relevant business concepts, and practical considerations.
- Once a decision is made at any stage, it is final and cannot be changed. Teams must continue the case based on the consequences of their previous choice.
- Reasonable assumptions are permitted where necessary; they must be clearly stated and must align with the information given in the case.
- Answers should be concise, focused, and directly relevant to the case facts; unrelated theory without practical application may not receive marks.
- There is no single correct path or perfect answer; each option carries its own advantages and limitations. Strong, well-supported reasoning is rewarded regardless of the path chosen, while selecting an option without adequate justification receives limited marks even if the decision itself was appropriate.
- At the conclusion of the case, each team presents and justifies its complete sequence of decisions to the judges, explaining the rationale behind their strategy and how their choices addressed the evolving business challenge.
- Top teams by cumulative score advance to Stage 3, the Grand Finale. The decision of the evaluators is final and binding.
Stage 3: Grand Finale (16 February 2027)
Held on Day 2 of the event, the final 25 teams receive a brand-new case study and present their analysis live before the judging panel.
- A new case study, not seen in Stage 2, is introduced exclusively for the Grand Finale.
- Finalist teams work through the new case and prepare their strategic recommendation and supporting reasoning.
- Each team then presents and defends its analysis and decisions live before the judges.
- Judges may question teams on their assumptions, trade-offs, and the consistency of their overall strategy.
- Case format, preparation time, presentation time per team, and the final marking scheme are to be finalised by the Organizing Committee.
Think Strategically. Decide Boldly. Win the Case.
Team Size: 2
Registration Deadline: 1 December 2026
