CBSE launches Young India Culinary Championship to help students learn cooking, nutrition, teamwork and hospitality skills through a three-level competition.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the Young India Culinary Championship (YICC) 2026-27 for students of Classes VI to XII. The championship aims to develop culinary skills, hospitality knowledge, creativity and teamwork among students. CBSE has invited all affiliated schools to organise the competition as per the official guidelines.
Why CBSE is Organising YICC 2026-27
CBSE has organised the championship in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Skill India Mission. The initiative aims to give students practical cooking experience, improve nutrition awareness, promote food hygiene and sustainability, introduce hospitality careers and encourage experiential learning.
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Students from Classes VI to XII Can Participate
The championship is open to regular students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools.
CBSE has divided the competition into two categories:
| Category | Classes |
|---|---|
| Category I – Non-Fire Cooking | Classes VI to VIII |
| Category II – Fire Cooking | Classes IX to XII |
Competition Will Take Place at Three Levels
CBSE will conduct the championship in three stages.
| Level | Details |
|---|---|
| School Level | Schools will organise in-house competitions. Teachers will assess participants using CBSE guidelines. Two winners from each category will qualify as a team for the Regional Level. |
| Regional Level | Qualified teams will compete at designated venues in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. |
| National Level | Top teams from each region will compete in the proposed finale in Chandigarh. Industry experts and renowned chefs will evaluate the teams. |
Students Will Attend Skill Workshops
Before the Regional and National competitions, professional chefs will conduct workshops on:
- Nutrition and healthy cooking
- Kitchen hygiene
- Knife and tool safety
- Fire safety for Classes IX–XII
- Plating and presentation
- Food sustainability
CBSE Announces Competition Timeline
| Stage | Schedule |
|---|---|
| School Level Competition | July–August 2026 |
| Regional Level Competition | September–October 2026 |
| National Level Competition | November–December 2026 |
Important Dates for Schools
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to register for YICC 2026-27 | August 1, 2026 |
| Last date to organise the school-level competition | August 15, 2026 |
| Participation Fee | NIL |
Cooking Activities Will Be Recorded
CBSE has asked schools to record the cooking process and final presentations through photographs and videos. The recordings will help maintain transparency and support remote evaluation if required. National-level judges may review the recordings, and CBSE may also use them for live telecast or share them on the CBSE portal to motivate other students.
Schools Can Register Online
Schools can register for the Young India Culinary Championship through the official Google Form shared by CBSE. The circular also provides links for the introductory video, detailed presentation and FAQs. Schools with questions can contact CBSE through the email address mentioned in the notification.
Check official circular of CBSE’s Young India Culinary Championship (YICC) 2026-27
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| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who can participate in YICC 2026-27? | Regular students of CBSE-affiliated schools studying in Classes VI to XII can participate. |
| What is the last date to register? | Schools can register until August 1, 2026. |
| How many competition levels are there? | The championship has School, Regional and National levels. |
| Is there any participation fee? | No. Participation is completely free. |
| When should schools complete the school-level competition? | Schools must organise the competition by August 15, 2026. |
The Young India Culinary Championship 2026-27 gives students an opportunity to learn practical culinary skills, explore hospitality careers and take part in a structured competition from the school level to the national level. CBSE has asked all affiliated schools to organise the championship according to the official guidelines.
