Abhivyakti 2026
अभिव्यक्ति
Welcome to Abhivyakti, the annual photography competition organized by the National Academy of Audit and Accounts in Shimla, India.
Exhibition Dates- 3rd - 5th September 2026
Gaiety Theatre Shimla
Last Date of Submission- 10th August,2026
Last Date of Submission: 15 August, 2026
About
Abhivyakti
Celebrating Photography and Creativity
ABHIVYAKTI 2026, is a Photography competition and exhibition event being organized by the Indian Audit & Accounts Service Officer Trainees (2025 Batch). This event is open to the entire Indian Audit and Accounts Department. Thus, all Indian Audit and Accounts Department Officers and staff whether working in the department or on deputation, are invited to participate and give expression to their creativity. This year we are also inviting entries from immediate family members i.e.spouse and children of all Officers and staff.
COMPETITION DETAILS
For this year’s competition there are 5 themes
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Concrete vs Canopy
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Light, Shadow and Stories
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Echoes of Human Connection
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View within View
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International year of women farmers
THEME DESCRIPTION
1) Concrete vs Canopy
Capture the meeting point of nature and the built world — a tree growing through a wall, a park framed by buildings, greenery reclaiming concrete. This theme is about the contrast and balance between urban structures and natural life.
2) Light, Shadow and Stories
Use light and shadow to tell a story, not just create an effect. A striking shadow, a beam of light, a silhouette — the image should suggest a moment or narrative beyond what is directly shown.
3) Echoes of Human Connection
Capture bonds between people . It can be a shared look, a gesture, a quiet interaction. Connection can be shown directly or suggested through space, objects, or absence.
4) View within View
Frame a scene inside another using windows, mirrors, doorways, or screens. The best entries make both the outer and inner view meaningful, not just one nested inside the other.
5) International Year of Women Farmers
Showcase women in agriculture . It could portray their work, resilience or role in farming and food production. Entries can capture daily labour, tradition, or quiet strength in rural life.
RULES
Submission of Entries
1. Number of Entries per Participant
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Each participant may submit a maximum of 5 photographs in total.
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A maximum of 2 photographs may be submitted per theme.
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If a participant submits 2 photographs under the same theme, only the better of the two will be considered for a prize in that category — a participant cannot win two prizes within a single theme.
2. Under each theme, there will be three prizes, which are to be adjudged by eminent photographers.
3. If a participant sends more than the allowed number of entries, the eligible entries will be selected on a first come first serve basis.
4. The last date for submission of entries is 10th August, 2026.
5. Each photograph should be accompanied by a minimum one-line. The photos should be explained through the description. There will be weightage for how the photos are explained. The participants are allowed to make use of the help of whichever platforms to give the explanation. However, the description should not exceed 75 words.
6. Photographs submitted must strictly be taken by the photographer himself/herself.
7. The participants should only use the official CAG email id allotted to them for the submission of their entries. In case the participant is the immediate family member, they should submit the entry only through the staff email id and mention the relation to the employee in the designation / relation section.
Eg: Name : Kavita kiran
email id : kirank@cag.gov.in
Designation / Relation : IA&AS Officer
Contact Number :+919xxxxxxxx0
8. The participants are also requested to not send any photographs that they have submitted in the previous editions of Abhivyakti.
9. AI generated photographs will be disqualified.
10.Participants will retain copyrights to their photographs. However, the National Academy of Audit and Accounts, Shimla reserves the right to use them for non- commercial purposes (which may include exhibiting on NAAA magazine/website and others)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Technical Specifications for Photographs
1. The minimum resolution of photographs should be 1600 X 1200 pixels. For portrait orientation, the minimum resolution should be at least 1200 X 1600 pixels
2. Photographs must be submitted in ‘.jpg/.jpeg’ format only.
3. The photograph should be named in the following way:
a) Concrete vs Canopy– I75_ParticipantName.jpg
b) Light, Shadow and Stories– EDL_ParticipantName.jpg
c) View within View– MoS_ParticipantName.jpg
d) Echoes of Human Connection- Imp_ParticipantName.jpg
e) International Year of Women Farmers SGT_ParticipantName.jpg
E.g., EDL_Kavita.jpg
4. No watermarks, signatures, or copyright notices may be added to photographs.
5. Photographs may be cropped or rotated as necessary, provided the rectangular format is maintained.
6. Red-eye removal, spot editing, and the use of filters to sharpen, soften, blur or remove noise are permitted. Use of Artificial Intelligence to add or remove the subjects into or from the photographs are strictly prohibited.
7. Artistic filters are not permitted. However, the use of corrective functions to improve the natural appearance of the image, such as contrast, brightness, curves, intensity, tone, hue, saturation, lightness value, colour balance, and tint are allowed.
PRIZE & RECOGNITION
Prize & Recognition
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Top threee Winners of each theme will be awarded a cash prize of ₹7000 , ₹5000 , ₹3000 and certificate of recognition from the National Academy of Audit & Accounts.
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Selected entries will be exhibited at the famed Gaiety Theatre, Shimla.
Other Details
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The Organizing Committee reserves the right to reject any submitted photograph. Submissions containing any inappropriate content or not conforming to the above specified rules will be rejected.
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A Screening Committee will be constituted to shortlist the photographs under each theme. The shortlisted entries will be presented to the judges for adjudication.
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Submission of the entries for ABHIVYAKTI 2026 would be presumed to mean that the participant has agreed to all the above-mentioned rules.
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In case of any change which may be deemed necessary in the due course of events, the Organizing Committee reserves the right to make required changes in the Rules and Regulations of ABHIVYAKTI 2026.
