The Institute of Risk Management’s (IRM) India Affiliate successfully concluded the Grand Finale of the 4th National GOER – Game of Enterprise Risk® 2026. Held at Mahindra University in Hyderabad, the prestigious competition saw SVKM’s NMIMS - Centre for International Studies and IFMR Graduate School of Business (GSB) Krea University emerge as champions in the undergraduate and postgraduate categories, respectively.
Recognized as India’s premier experiential competition for risk intelligence and resilience, GOER challenges the nation’s brightest young minds to navigate intricate enterprise challenges, emerging risks, crisis situations, and "black swan" events through the lens of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).
Developing Future Risk Leaders
The 2026 edition attracted 61 teams from leading universities and institutions across India. Over its four editions, GOER has engaged more than 2,000 participants from over 120 institutions, solidifying its role in cultivating risk-aware and resilient future leaders. Finalists were rigorously assessed on critical competencies including enterprise risk identification, strategic thinking, stakeholder management, negotiation, communication, crisis response, collaboration, and decision-making under pressure.
Winning teams received national recognition, cash prizes totaling 2 lakhs, and scholarships worth 6 lakhs towards IRM’s globally recognized qualifications.
Champions and Runners-Up
After multiple rounds of intensive assessments, enterprise simulations, boardroom challenges, stakeholder negotiations, and crisis management exercises, the following teams achieved victory:
- Undergraduate Category Winner: The Hedge Minds – SVKM’s NMIMS Centre for International Studies
- First Runner-Up: Strategic Planners – JagranLakecity University Bhopal
- Second Runner-Up: The Risketeers – Parul Institute of Business Administration
- Postgraduate Category Winner: The Risk Strategist – IFMR Graduate School of Business (GSB) Krea University
- First Runner-Up: DEVIAT-X – Institute of Insurance and Risk Management
- Second Runner-Up: RiskIQ – National Institute of Bank Management
Insights from Industry Leaders
Mr. Navneet Munot, Managing Director & CEO of HDFC Asset Management Company Limited, delivered the Chief Guest address. He remarked, "As India advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, it is essential that our young leaders are equipped not only with knowledge and ambition, but also with the ability to navigate uncertainty, manage risk, and make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving world. IRM India’s Game of Enterprise Risk (GOER) is a unique platform that fosters these capabilities through experiential learning."
Mr. Hersh Shah, CEO of IRM India Affiliate and India’s Youngest Enterprise Risk Expert, commented on the competition's success: "The future belongs not only to those who can identify opportunities, but to those who can anticipate uncertainty, navigate disruption, and build resilience. Through GOER, we are creating a national platform that encourages young leaders to think critically, challenge assumptions, make informed decisions, and develop risk intelligence."
Partnerships and Adjudication
The 2026 edition was supported by HDFC Mutual Fund as the Exclusive Financial Literacy Partner, and Mahindra University as the Exclusive Campus Partner. Additional partners included Snackible and Salt Oral Care.
The Grand Finale was adjudicated by an eminent jury panel comprising senior leaders from diverse fields such as risk management, strategy, governance, internal audit, and academia. The panel evaluated participants on analytical thinking, stakeholder management, risk prioritization, crisis response, strategic communication, resilience, and decision-making under uncertainty.
IRM India Affiliate remains dedicated to advancing risk literacy across academic institutions and India Inc., aiming to foster a resilient and Viksit Bharat through globally benchmarked qualifications, thought leadership initiatives, industry partnerships, and experiential learning platforms.