A National Photography Initiative by the Indian Photo Festival

 

Every campus has a story waiting to be discovered.

​

At the Indian Photo Festival, we believe photography is much more than taking pictures - it is about observing, documenting, interpreting, and preserving the moments that shape our lives and communities. Every college and university has its own identity, traditions, people, architecture, and everyday moments that deserve to be remembered.

​

My Campus, My Story invites college and university students across India to rediscover their campuses through photography. The initiative encourages students to slow down, look at familiar spaces with fresh eyes, and create compelling visual stories that celebrate the spirit of their institution. Whether it is a quiet library corner, friendships, campus traditions, architecture, cultural activities, or everyday student life, every photograph contributes to a larger narrative of campus life across India.

​​

Selected photographs from each participating institution will be showcased in a Digital Exhibition at the 12th edition of the Indian Photo Festival, India's longest-running international photography festival, to be held in Hyderabad from November 24, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

​

Eligibility

​

• Open exclusively to students of participating colleges and universities.

• Participants may be required to present a valid College or University ID for verification.

• Each institution will communicate its own submission opening and closing dates to students.

​​

Theme - My Campus, My Story

​

All photographs must be captured within the campus premises of the participating institution.

Participants are encouraged to creatively interpret campus life through subjects including, but not limited to:

​

• Student life

• Friendships and interactions

• Academic spaces

• Libraries

• Classrooms

• Campus architecture

• Heritage buildings

• Gardens and open spaces

• Sports and recreation

• Cultural activities

• Events and celebrations

• Light, shadows and textures

• Everyday moments

• Any visual story that reflects the unique character of the campus

​

How to Participate

​

Step 1 – Share on Instagram

​

• Follow @indianphotofest

• Upload your photograph(s) on Instagram.

• Tag @indianphotofest

• Use the official hashtag #MyCampusMyStory

​

 Step 2 – Submit Your Entries 

​

Complete the official online submission form at this LINK.

Entries submitted through email or any other platform will not be accepted.

​

Submission Guidelines

• Each participant may submit a maximum of three (3) photographs.

• Submission of more than three photographs may result in disqualification.

• Each photograph shouldn't be more than 4 MB in size.

• Photographs must be captured within the participant's college or university campus.

• Entries must be the participant's original work.

• AI-generated images are not permitted.

• Composite images or excessive digital manipulation are not allowed.

• Basic editing such as cropping, exposure adjustment, colour correction, and minor tonal enhancements is acceptable.

• Images containing watermarks, signatures, logos, or borders will not be accepted.

• Photographs should be submitted in high-resolution JPEG format.

• Participants must retain the original image files for verification if requested.

• Photographs must respect the privacy and dignity of individuals appearing in the images.

• Any entry found to infringe copyright or intellectual property rights will be disqualified.

• The organisers reserve the right to reject entries that do not comply with these guidelines.

​

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated by an independent jury appointed by the Indian Photo Festival based on:

• Originality

• Creativity

• Visual storytelling

• Composition

• Technical quality

• Emotional impact

• Relevance to the theme

​

The decision of the jury shall be final and binding.

​

Exhibition Opportunity

Selected photographs from each participating institution—including winning, runner-up, and jury-selected entries—will be showcased as part of a Digital Photography Exhibition during the 12th Indian Photo Festival, held in Hyderabad from November 24, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

​

This exhibition offers students an opportunity to present their work to thousands of visitors, photographers, educators, artists, and members of the public from across India and around the world.

​

Awards & Recognition

Participants have the opportunity to receive:

​

Digital Exhibition

Winning and selected photographs from participating colleges will be exhibited during the Indian Photo Festival.

​

Certificates

Every participant will receive a digital Certificate of Participation.

​

Cash Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded to the overall First, Second, and Third Place winners selected from entries received across all participating colleges and universities.

​

Further details regarding the awards presentation will be announced by the Indian Photo Festival.

​

Image Usage Rights

• Participants retain full copyright ownership of their submitted photographs.

• By entering the competition, participants grant the Indian Photo Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to exhibit, publish, reproduce, and use the submitted images for educational, promotional, archival, exhibition, editorial, and communication purposes related to the festival and the My Campus, My Story initiative. Wherever reasonably possible, appropriate credit will be given to the photographer.

​

Terms & Conditions

• Participation in the competition constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

• Entries must be submitted before the deadline communicated by the participant's institution.

• Late submissions will not be accepted.

• The Indian Photo Festival reserves the right to verify the authenticity of submitted images.

• Participants may be asked to provide original image files (RAW or original JPEG) for verification.

• The organisers reserve the right to disqualify entries found to violate these rules or contain misleading information.

• The Indian Photo Festival reserves the right to amend the competition rules, exhibition details, prizes, or schedule if required due to unforeseen circumstances.

• Participation in the competition does not guarantee exhibition or selection.

• In all matters relating to eligibility, judging, interpretation of these rules, and competition administration, the decision of the Indian Photo Festival shall be final.

​

For any queries, please contact:

Email: info@indianphotofest.com

WhatsApp (Text Only): +91 98495 58107

​

​

​

​