Patna: The global launch of ACAD QUAD 2026, an international academic and intellectual competition, was inaugurated on Tuesday at Delhi Public School in Patna by the governor of Bihar, Arif Mohammed Khan.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials and educationists, including Vivek Kumar Singh, chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority; Rajiv Ranjan Sinha; Robert L Chongthu, principal secretary to the governor; and B Vinod, principal of Delhi Public School Patna.
ACAD QUAD 2026 is being organised by Extra-C, a platform that promotes crossword-based and other intellectual competitions across countries. The initiative aims to strengthen analytical reasoning, linguistic ability and collaborative learning by engaging students in structured “mind sports”.
Addressing students and educators, the governor referred to the Bhagavad Gita, stressing that mastery of the mind lay at the heart of wisdom and achievement. Crossword solving and similar intellectual exercises, he said, represented contemporary forms of disciplined mental practice that foster focus, balance and clarity of thought.
Vivek Kumar Singh, who is credited with taking crossword competitions to a global stage, said ACAD QUAD sought to reframe learning as an enjoyable and inclusive pursuit. “Crosswords are not merely puzzles but tools that expand imagination and knowledge,” he said. “Through ACAD QUAD, we are presenting education in a form that is joyful, competitive and universal.”
Rajiv Ranjan Sinha said the Central Bank of India was proud to support initiatives that promoted intellectual development among young people. He described ACAD QUAD as aligned with broader goals of nation-building through education and innovation.
Highlighting the role of the host institution, B Vinod said DPS Patna had become closely associated with the competition over the years. “Launching ACAD has become a distinctive academic tradition for our students,” he said, adding that the school was proud to contribute to a platform that blended learning with creativity and competition.
The launch drew enthusiastic participation from students and teachers, reflecting growing interest in brain-based learning approaches within mainstream education. Organisers said the unveiling of ACAD QUAD 2026 marked an important step in integrating intellectual sports into academic culture, while thanking participating institutions and dignitaries for their support.
