Spin Your Science (SYS) is the science fiction writing competition of the India Science Festival, designed to ignite the imaginations of students, researchers, and professionals. In this edition of the competition, we invite all science enthusiasts to explore pressing contemporary themes, intertwine their unique scientific insights, and craft compelling stories that resonate across diverse audiences. Let your creativity soar and contribute to a genre that not only entertains but also inspires and unites people from all walks of life.
Selected entries from previous years​
Spin Your Science
The competition is open to all. There are no restrictions on age, background, education, or nationality. Participants must have an account in any Indian bank account.
Word Limit:
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Stories: Under 1500 words
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Scientific poetry: Under 400 words
Submissions should be in English. If you are submitting an entry written in a regional language, please share its English Translation for our reference. The deadline for submission is 30th June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is eligible to participate?
The competition is open to all sci-fi enthusiasts! There are no restrictions on age, background, education, or nationality. Participants must have an Indian bank account to enter.
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Q. I am not currently in India / My nationality isn’t Indian. Am I eligible to participate?
Yes, we welcome applications from all over the world! However, you need access to an Indian bank account to participate.
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Q. Is there an age limit for participating?
No, there is no age limit. There are two categories for ages:
1. Under 15 years*
2. 15 years* and above
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Q. Is there a theme for the competition?
No, you can write about anything within the realm of science fiction. Stories should be under 1500 words and scientific poetry under 400 words. If your work involves a current science or tech concept, please ensure it is accurately represented.
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Q. How do I submit my entry?
Submit your story or poem in both Word and PDF formats with the following specifications:
– Font: Arial
– Size: Title – 12, Body – 10
– Margins: 2.5 cm
– Spacing: 1.0
Please submit your entry through this form. The deadline for submission is 30th June 2026.
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Q. Will FAST India cover my expenses to visit ISF 2027 if I win?
No, the India Science Festival is open to all and free to attend. While we welcome your participation, FAST India will not cover travel expenses. If you are among the top 20 and unable to attend the festival, FAST India will share your printed publication with you.
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Q. Can I write in a language other than English?
While we primarily accept entries in English, you are encouraged to submit your work in regional languages. If you do so, please include an English translation.
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Q. Can I participate along with a friend?
Yes, individuals as well as teams of up to two people can participate.
* as on 31st December 2026
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Have more questions? Feel free to contact us at indiasciencefestival@fast-india.org
Internal Jury
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Arati Halbe
Arati Halbe is a science communicator with a commitment to translating complex scientific and technological concepts and research accomplishments into engaging, accessible narratives for the public. Over the past decade, Arati has authored and edited hundreds of outreach pieces in English, Marathi and Hindi. Her multimedia expertise spans audio and visual storytelling, having scripted and produced outreach videos, hosted podcasts featuring Infosys Prize Laureates, and lent her voice to a number of videos. Passionate about nurturing future talent, she frequently mentors emerging writers and conducts science communication training.
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Ranjini Raghunath
Ranjini Raghunath is a Communications Officer at the Office of Communications (OoC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc). She writes and edits news and feature stories for IISc’s newsletter (Kernel) and its quarterly magazine (Connect). She also manages a science writing internship for students, and coordinates a variety of institutional communications including website content, presentations, reports, and brochures. In 2024, she received the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications, from the US NASEM and Schmidt Sciences.