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Nominate yourself or an inspiring student for The Kalam Medal — honoring young changemakers in environment, science, and social impact. Showcase innovation, compassion, and leadership. Apply now to celebrate brilliance!
The Kalam Medal
Honouring Young Changemakers of India
Recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary efforts of high school students across India who are driving real-world change through innovation, compassion, and action. The Kalam Medal, founded in 2024, is inspired by the legacy of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: a visionary scientist, humble leader, and champion of youth potential.
Rooted in his belief that “dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action,” this award aims to spotlight the next generation of problem-solvers who are creating societal impact, whether through environmental stewardship, scientific solutions, humanitarian work, or bold social initiatives.
This isn’t just a medal; it’s a movement. A platform to honour purpose-driven students who dare to think differently, act bravely, and lead change where it matters most.
Social Impact
Recognizing students who have initiated or contributed to impactful social programs, including:
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Awareness campaigns on education, health, or human rights.
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Fundraising or volunteering for social causes.
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Projects promoting gender equality, inclusivity, mental health or civic responsibility.
Category #3
Best Young Podcaster – India
Conversations around science, candid chats about student life, or bold takes on social issues, this category honours creativity, clarity, and impact in audio storytelling.
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Unique themes, formats, or storytelling styles that stand out
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Addressing topics that inform, inspire, or engage a community
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Regular episodes with clear audio, structured content, and thoughtful execution.
Category #4
Know more about The Kalam Medal
About the Award
The Kalam Medal is a distinguished honor dedicated to recognizing high school students in India who have demonstrated outstanding initiative and impact through their projects. Inspired by the vision of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, this award encourages the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and humanitarians to contribute to building a better society.
Whether you are solving environmental issues, developing scientific solutions, promoting social welfare, or leading humanitarian efforts, The Kalam Medal is a platform to showcase your achievements and inspire others.
Environmental Efforts
Honouring students who have made a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. This may include:
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Tree plantation drives, waste management initiatives, or plastic-free campaigns.
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Renewable energy projects or conservation efforts.
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Local eco-restoration, awareness campaigns, or save water projects.
Category #1
Science & Technology
Celebrating innovative, science-driven solutions with real-world applications, such as:
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STEM-based inventions addressing community issues.
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Scientific models or research projects.
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Use of technology (AI, robotics, or coding) to solve local challenges.
Category #2
Our Initiative
Themed Challenges
An exciting annual category where students participate in a unique challenge based on a specific theme. The challenge changes each year, encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills.
For 2025, the theme is: "Innovating for Climate Resilience"—students will propose or implement solutions addressing climate change-related issues.
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Read the instructions & eligibility
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.
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Participate and submit your entry
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.
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Wait for results
Describe the team member here. Write a brief description of their role and responsibilities, or a short bio with a background summary.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place - that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life.
We are dedicated to empowering young people to drive transformative change
WINNERS OF 2024
SHAINAYA
Social Impact
RUDRANSH
Financial Literacy
AHANA
Literature
28
States
500+
Students
100%
Satisfaction
Our Reach...
Let us recognize your efforts. Follow these simple steps
How to Participate?
Participating in The Kalam Medal is straightforward and accessible to all high school students in India.
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Choose Your Category
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Select one of the four categories that best fits your project. Read the category thoroughly.
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Submit Your Project
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Prepare a detailed description of your project.
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Include photos, videos, reports, or any evidence of your work.
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Mention the objective, process, and measurable impact.
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Evaluation Process
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A panel of experts, including educators, industry professionals, and social leaders, will review each submission.
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Projects will be assessed based on innovation, impact, execution, and presentation.
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Winner Announcement
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Finalists and winners will be announced on the website and notified via email.
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The winners will be invited to an award ceremony, where they will receive their medals and certificates.
Eligibility Criteria - Who Can Apply?
🎓 Eligible Participants
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Open to all high school students under the age of 18 years, across India.
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Both individual participants and team entries (up to 4 members) are welcome.
📌 Project Requirements
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Students must submit a project they have already worked on and completed.
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The project should demonstrate measurable results and societal impact.
📝 Submission Guidelines
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Submissions can be in English or Hindi.
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Include all necessary documentation, photos, and videos showcasing the project’s progress and outcomes.
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All submissions must adhere to the ethical guidelines and display genuine efforts.
Credibility and Integrity
Why The Kalam Medal? What Makes It Credible
The Kalam Medal stands out as a credible and prestigious award due to its transparent evaluation process, association with experts, and real-world impact.
Honesty
Hard Work
Consistency
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Prestige & Recognition
The award carries the name of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a symbol of visionary leadership and innovation, making it a highly respected honor. Winners receive a medal, certificate, and official recognition that adds value to their academic and professional profiles.
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Visibility & Exposure
Winning projects will be featured on The Kalam Medal website and shared with partner schools, educational institutions, and media outlets. This offers students an excellent platform to showcase their work to a wider audience.
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Transparency & Accountability
As we honour high school students for their outstanding project submissions, we ensure that every step of our evaluation process is clear and fair. Our dedicated team reviews each project with impartiality and rigor, providing a valuable learning experience for all participants. This award is about fostering a culture of creativity, dedication, and growth.
All projects will be thoroughly evaluated by an expert panel based on the following parameters
You Achieve
Innovation & Creativity
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Originality of the project idea.
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Use of unique or creative methods to solve a problem.
Impact
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Measurable influence of the project on the target audience or environment.
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Clarity in demonstrating the positive change achieved.
Execution & Feasibility
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Quality and practicality of the project’s implementation.
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Demonstrated effort, sustainability, and replicability.
Presentation
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Clarity and organization of the submission.
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Use of supporting visuals, data, and evidence.
Key Dates &
Timeline
To ensure a smooth process, here are the important dates for the 2025 edition of The Kalam Medal
Applications Open:
01 Aug 2025
Submission Deadline
15 Sep 2025
Results
Declaration
30 Sep 2025
Award
Ceremony
Dec 2025
The award is open to high school students under the age of 18 years across India who have initiated or led impactful projects in areas such as environment, social change, science, humanitarian work, or innovation. We welcome applicants from all boards — CBSE, ICSE, IB, IGCSE, and state boards.
FAQ 1: Who can apply for The Kalam Medal?
We’re looking for projects that create tangible societal impact. This could be an innovation that solves a local problem, a community initiative that uplifts others, or an awareness campaign that drives real change. The work must be student-led, purposeful, and action-oriented.
FAQ 2: What kind of projects qualify for The Kalam Medal?
After submitting your application, our expert panel will evaluate entries based on originality, impact, sustainability, and leadership. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or asked to present additional documentation or media showcasing their work.
FAQ 3: What is the selection process like?
Winners receive The Kalam Medal, a digital and physical certificate, national recognition through our platform, and potential press coverage. More importantly, they join a growing community of young changemakers and role models inspired by the values of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.