What happens when students step beyond the classroom, and every decision becomes an opportunity to think strategically?
At the 4th National GOER – Game of Enterprise Risk® Competition 2026, organised by IRM India Affiliate, students did more than participate in a competition; they experienced how Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) helps organisations make informed decisions in the face of uncertainty.
Designed as an experiential competition focused on risk intelligence and resilience, GOER brings together undergraduate and postgraduate students to navigate complex business challenges, emerging risks, crises, and unforeseen events using an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) approach. Rather than testing theoretical knowledge alone, the simulation competition serves as a professional development tool, encouraging participants to assess changing business conditions, evaluate risks, and adapt their decisions as new developments emerge.
The fourth edition of GOER saw 61 teams from leading institutions across India compete for a place in the National Finale. Following multiple competitive rounds, the top 20 teams—10 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate—advanced to the Grand Finale hosted at Mahindra University, Hyderabad.
The 2026 edition was supported by HDFC Mutual Fund as the Exclusive Financial Literacy Partner through its Campus Connect Initiative, Mahindra University as the Exclusive Campus Partner under the Global Centre for Enterprise Risk Management launched by Mr. Anand Mahindra in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Yajulu Medury and Mr. Hersh Shah, CEO, IRM India Affiliate, Snackible as the Snacking Partner, and Salt Oral Care as the Oral Care Partner.
Along with ₹2 lakh in cash prizes and ₹6 lakh in scholarships towards IRM’s globally recognised qualifications, the competition recognised outstanding performances while offering every participant something equally valuable, the opportunity to apply their knowledge in realistic business situations.
The competition concluded with The Hedge Minds from SVKM’s NMIMS Centre for International Studies winning in the Undergraduate Category, while The Risk Strategist from IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University emerged as the champions in the Postgraduate Category. Their performances reflected the analytical thinking, teamwork, and strategic decision-making that GOER is designed to foster.
Yet, the results told only part of the story. As students shared their experiences after the Grand Finale, one message emerged consistently: GOER 2026 was far more than a competition for students. Beyond the prizes and trophies, it became a platform for learning, collaboration, resilience, and personal growth, giving participants a deeper understanding of ERM in ways that extended beyond the classroom.
Enterprise Risk Management Beyond Theory
One of the most consistent themes across participants’ reflections was the opportunity to experience Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) beyond textbooks and classroom discussions.
Throughout the competition, teams encountered evolving business developments involving operational disruptions, regulatory changes, stakeholder expectations, financial pressures, organisational risks and strategic dilemmas. Rather than working towards a single predetermined answer, participants continuously reassessed priorities, analysed new information, and adapted their strategies as circumstances changed.
For many students, this was the first time they had experienced how quickly business decisions can evolve and why organisations must remain agile when responding to uncertain risks.
Sharing her experience, Khushi Shetty, NMIMS Navi Mumbai, wrote:
“Over two engaging days, we navigated enterprise risk scenarios that challenged us to think beyond frameworks and apply enterprise risk management concepts in dynamic, real-world situations. From strategic decision-making under uncertainty to collaborating under pressure, the competition offered valuable insights into the practical dimensions of Enterprise Risk Management.”
Her reflections echoed those of many participants, who described GOER as an opportunity to apply enterprise risk management concepts rather than simply study them. Teams identified emerging risks, assessed their potential impact by conducting risk assessment, prioritised critical issues, and developed mitigation strategies while balancing operational, financial, regulatory, and strategic considerations.
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway was recognising that ERM is not about eliminating every risk. Instead, it is about understanding uncertainty, evaluating available information and making informed decisions as situations continue to evolve. For many participants, this practical exposure reshaped the way they viewed business decision-making and risk resilience.
Learning Through Collaboration
Every stage of GOER encouraged participants to exchange ideas, evaluate different perspectives, and arrive at collective decisions under time constraints. Success depended not only on analytical thinking but also on effective communication, teamwork, and the ability to build consensus while responding to evolving business risks and developments.
Describing his experience, Abhishek Chakrabarty, Parul Institute of Management Research, wrote:
“Participating in GOER 2026 was much more than competing, it was an incredible journey of learning, collaboration, networking, and personal growth. Interacting with talented students from prestigious institutions across the country and solving real-world enterprise risk challenges gave me valuable learning in enterprise risk management, strategic thinking, and decision-making.”
Beyond the competition itself, students appreciated the opportunity to work closely with teammates, exchange ideas with peers from leading institutions across the country, and learn risk management basics from people with diverse academic backgrounds and perspectives.
For many finalists, the friendships they built and the collaborative environment became just as memorable as the competition itself. GOER demonstrated an important principle that extends beyond ERM: meaningful solutions are rarely developed in isolation. They emerge through collaboration, open communication, and the willingness to consider multiple viewpoints before making informed decisions.
Learning from Industry Experts
An important part of the GOER experience was the opportunity to present ideas before an accomplished panel of industry leaders. Their questions, observations, and feedback encouraged participants to look beyond immediate solutions and consider the wider business implications of every decision.
The Grand Finale was judged by an eminent panel comprising Mr. Deep Mukherjee, Partner & Director – Risk Management and Data Science, Boston Consulting Group; Dr. Leena Vijayvargy, Chief Risk Officer, HDFC Asset Management Company Limited; Mr. Aien Noorul, Global Internal Audit & Enterprise Risk Management Head, Tata Consumer Products; Mr. Sachin Mutha, Head – Risk Management (Digital Segment), Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited; and Mr. Viraansh Bhanushali, Law Student, University of Oxford & Chief of Staff, The Oxford Union.
For many students, interacting with professionals who work in ERM, governance, strategy, and internal audit added another dimension to the competition. The discussions demonstrated how the principles introduced during GOER are applied across industries, and encouraged participants to approach business decisions with greater strategic awareness.
Growing Through the GOER Experience
Beyond strengthening technical understanding, GOER 2026 became a memorable milestone in many students’ personal journeys. The competition encouraged participants to step outside familiar environments, work with teammates under time constraints, and confidently present their recommendations before experienced professionals.
Sambhav Jain, Shaheed Sukhdev College Of Business Studies, captured this aspect of the experience when he shared:
“For some of us, it was our very first time travelling outside our home city. For me, it was my first experience flying alone without my parents. Navigating airports on our own, stepping out of our comfort zones, travelling without our parents, and managing everything independently made this journey an unforgettable learning experience. These moments shaped us not just as students, but as individuals.“
His experience reflected how GOER extended beyond academic learning. For many participants, the event became an opportunity to build confidence, become more independent, and embrace challenges that stretched well beyond the competition itself.
Beyond the competition, it also sparked a deeper interest among the participants in exploring careers in enterprise risk management, a field that is becoming increasingly relevant as organisations place greater emphasis on resilience and informed decision-making.
Building Resilience Beyond the Competition
The focus on resilience extended beyond the competition rounds themselves.
A memorable feature of GOER 2026 was the Fitness for Resilience session led by Mr. Max Lopez, entrepreneur, founder of Maüllo, resilience advocate, and the official Resilience Mascot of GOER 2026, who also served as the event emcee during the Grand Finale.
Held a day before the competition, the fitness session brought participants together in an energetic and relaxed environment. Students engaged in simple physical activities, interacted with peers from institutions across the country, and had an opportunity to connect before the competitive rounds began.
The session complemented the broader theme of GOER by highlighting that resilience is not only relevant to organisations managing uncertainty but also to individuals preparing to perform under pressure. It reinforced the importance of adaptability, well-being, and a positive mindset, qualities that supported participants throughout the competition.
Beyond the Competition
GOER 2026 demonstrated how experiential learning can help students connect classroom knowledge with practical decision-making. Through evolving business challenges, collaborative problem-solving, interactions with experienced professionals, and conversations around resilience, participants gained a deeper appreciation of how ERM supports better organisational decisions.
For many students, the competition also served as an introduction to the broader world of ERM and the opportunities available within the profession. Those interested in building on the experience can explore IRM’s Level 1 ERM certification to continue developing their knowledge and professional capabilities.
National GOER – Game of Enterprise Risk® 2026 was more than a competition, it became a platform where students experienced how strategic thinking, collaboration, and resilience come together when navigating uncertainty.
The reflections shared by participants consistently highlighted that the most valuable outcomes extended beyond rankings and prizes. They spoke about learning to analyse complex situations, working effectively as teams, presenting ideas with confidence, learning from industry experts, and discovering the practical relevance of enterprise risk management.
In an increasingly complex world, those who can anticipate uncertainty, navigate disruption, and build resilience will be better positioned for long-term success. Through GOER, IRM India Affiliate is creating a national platform that promotes risk literacy and encourages young leaders to think critically, challenge assumptions, make informed decisions, and develop risk intelligence.
