After an early setback, E-Cell MERI College staged a remarkable comeback at NEC 2025, rising from 57th position to secure a prestigious Top 5 national ranking.
New Delhi | 17 December 2025
E-Cell of MERI College achieved a landmark success at the National Entrepreneurship Challenge (NEC) 2025 by clinching a Top 5 national position at the finals held during the 21st E-Summit at IIT Bombay. Competing against nearly 4,000 institutions from across the country, the achievement marked one of the most impressive comebacks in the competition’s history.
The breakthrough followed a difficult phase earlier in the year, when the team exited the competition on 31 January 2025. Treating the setback as a learning opportunity, E-Cell MERI undertook a complete organisational overhaul, realigning its structure around discipline, strategic clarity, and consistent execution. Months of focused preparation paid off on 12 December 2025, when the team was officially announced as the fifth-ranked institution nationwide.
The transformation was driven by the leadership of Zorawar Singh (NEC Leader), Anant Noor Singh (President), and Vishal Dudeja (Vice NEC Leader). Their direction, coupled with strong teamwork, helped the organisation navigate the demanding stages of NEC. The effort was further reinforced by Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Chhabra, who provided valuable academic and strategic guidance as NEC External Mentor and Illuminate Faculty Member.
Over the course of NEC 2025, E-Cell MERI participated in more than 40 competitive events and successfully completed 18 official NEC tasks, including flagship initiatives such as Illuminate, Eureka Pitching, and the Founders’ Expo. A major highlight was MERI College becoming the only institution from North India to host the Eureka North Zonals in collaboration with E-Cell, IIT Bombay.
During the NEC Finals in Mumbai, the team showcased its capabilities across five challenging rounds, ranging from presentations and group discussions to case analysis and an IPL-style auction round. Contributions from both on-site and remote team members played a crucial role in this collective success.
The journey from 57th position to a Top 5 national finish stands as a powerful example of resilience, leadership, and collaborative effort. With NEC 2025 concluded on a high note, E-Cell MERI College has already set its sights on NEC 2026, aspiring to reach the very top.
