Bhubaneswar: The stage is set for The Mettle Meet 2026, one of Odisha’s premier quiz competitions, to be held in Bhubaneswar August 8 and 9. Top quizzers from leading educational institutions across Odisha and other parts of the country will compete for top honours in what promises to be another fiercely fought edition. Defending champions AIIMS-Bhubaneswar (senior category) and DAV Public School, Unit VIII (junior category) will aim to retain their crowns, while last year’s runners-up will be eager to reverse the result and claim the coveted trophies.
Ahead of the tournament, Orissa POST spoke to participating teams about their preparations and expectations. Bighnesh Das of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar said the team is excited to defend its title but is expecting a much tougher contest this year. “We are delighted to return to The Mettle Meet and hope to build on last year’s success. But we expect a much tougher contest this time, as every team is preparing hard.
Quizmaster Ajay Poonia is known for posing challenging questions, making it a true test of knowledge and presence of mind. On the day, any team can emerge victorious. We have won The Mettle Meet three times, but none of those titles came easily. Last year’s championship was decided in the closing moments, highlighting just how competitive this quiz is,” he said.
Sai Arush Das of DAV Public School, Unit VIII, who was part of last year’s title-winning team, said defending the championship would be an even bigger challenge. “Retaining the title will not be easy, as every team comes well prepared for such a prestigious competition. Our overall strategy remains largely unchanged because it has worked well for us in the past. However, with each team comprising three members instead of four this year, we have had to make a few tactical adjustments,” he said.
Samyak Sheersh of IIT-Kharagpur, last year’s senior runners-up, said the narrow defeat has only strengthened the team’s resolve. “We missed the title by just a few points last year. This time, our focus is on staying confident, reacting quickly on the buzzer and making the most of our opportunities. It was our debut at The Mettle Meet, and finishing runners-up gave us immense confidence. We hope to go one step further this year,” he said.
Adweya Sarangi of KIIT International School, last year’s junior runners-up, expressed similar confidence. “We came very close to winning last year, and that experience has motivated us to prepare even harder. The competition will be intense, but we are ready for the challenge. Our aim is to stay calm under pressure and give our best in every round,” he said. With defending champions, determined challengers and several promising new teams in the fray, The Mettle Meet 2026 is set for another gripping contest of knowledge, speed and strategy.
Orissa POST – Odisha’s No.1 English Daily
