Glory for KIIT International School as its students wins CSM Synapse 4.0, Odisha’s biggest quiz show

By Rupali Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 1: In a gripping showcase of wit, agility, and intellect, KIIT International School on Friday emerged victorious at CSM Synapse 4.0, a leading inter-school quiz competition organised by CSM Tech in partnership with Quizcraft Global.

The sharp-witted duo of Adweya Sarangi and Swastika Mishra triumphed over strong competitors in a nail-biting finale to lift the Champions Trophy and claim a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000.

The grand finale saw six zonal winners from across Odisha competing, turning the event into a truly state-wide celebration of knowledge. Distinguished guests included Commander Sushanta Kumar Mohanty, Commanding Officer of Naval NCC, along with senior CSM Tech leaders such as founder and CEO Priyadarshi Nanu Pany and CHRO Lagna Panda.

DPS Rourkela secured the first runner-up spot, represented by Ekansh Tripathi and Abhijit Pradhan, earning a cash award of Rs 25,000. The other zonal winners who made it to the finals were DAV Unit 8 Bhubaneswar, Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya–Chamakhandi, St. Paul’s Rourkela, and Takshashila School.

Each team had earlier emerged victorious from a pool of dozens of schools during the rigorous prelims held in July.

The 2025 edition of CSM Synapse featured a newly introduced two-tier format—three zonal rounds culminating in a grand finale—making the contest both more inclusive and intense. Hosted by acclaimed quizmaster Adityanath Mubayi, who also leads research on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC),’ the event delivered an intellectually charged and high-energy experience.

Speaking on the initiative, CSM Tech founder Priyadarshi Nanu Pany remarked, “CSM Synapse is more than a quiz—it’s a mission to spark young minds. Each edition reveals the extraordinary talent Odisha has to offer. We now believe it’s time to take Synapse national, offering thousands of students across India the platform to shine. Our aim is to make knowledge aspirational again—to transform curiosity into power.”

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Photograph: Victors pose with CSM Tech and Quizcraft Global officials, organisers of the quiz competition.