Chandigarh University Hosts India's First Corporate Crisis Championship
Chandigarh University organized India's first corporate crisis championship 'CEO Under Fire X' to test management students' leadership skills.
The University School of Business (USB) at Chandigarh University (CU) has made history by organizing 'CEO Under Fire X', India's very first ultimate corporate crisis championship. This high-octane event brought together management students from approximately 150 institutions across the nation to step into the shoes of CEOs facing intense, simulated business emergencies.
The championship was designed to push students to their limits, testing their critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and leadership abilities within a fast-paced, dynamic corporate setting. Participants had to navigate complex problems, demonstrate effective collaboration, and maintain clear business communication while under extreme pressure.
A Multi-Faceted Business Event
Beyond the championship, the event served as a massive hub for industry intelligence. The University School of Business also hosted the 'CXO Summit 2026', which gathered a diverse group of startup founders, CEOs, and managing directors from sectors such as finance, telecom, real estate, and human resources. These leaders shared vital insights on digital innovation, strategic excellence, and achieving measurable business results.
In a significant move toward future-ready education, Chandigarh University also unveiled its new Centre of Excellence, 'AURA' (Centre for AI-Driven Universal Business Re-engineering & Analytics). Alongside this launch, the university introduced its first professional skill certification programme, 'Generative and Agentic AI for Business Applications', developed in collaboration with Grant Thornton.
The Road to the CEO Hot Seat
The competition unfolded in three intense stages that challenged even the brightest minds:
- Round 1: 'Shock Wave – Face the Crises' – This initial phase saw participation from around 150 teams representing various states, including Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir. Notable institutions included Amity University, Thapar Institute, Bennett University, and Savitribai Phule Pune University, among others.
- Round 2: 'Decision Under Pressure' – Held at the CU campus, the top 50 teams entered a simulated boardroom. They had to act as various stakeholders, including regulators, board members, and investors, to experience the reality of corporate governance during a crisis.
- The Grand Finale: 'CEO Verdict – CEO Hot Seat' – The final 10 teams faced the ultimate test. Participants assumed the role of a CEO and had to defend their strategic decisions before a distinguished panel of judges.
The Champions of Crisis Management
After rigorous rounds of rapid-fire questioning and intense scrutiny of their leadership styles, the winners were announced:
- First Position: 'Boardroom Wizards' from Indira Global School of Business, Pune.
- Second Position: 'Business Mavericks' from Amity University.
- Third Position: 'Titans' from Chandigarh University.
Industry Leaders on the AI Revolution
During a panel discussion titled 'Leading Through AI, Market Disruption & the Future of Business', industry experts emphasized the necessity of technological adaptation. Sham Kumar, Co-Founder & COO of Aerial Telecom Solutions, addressed the student participants regarding the shifting landscape of work.
"AI will affect mundane jobs, so adding AI as a skill set can also create jobs. Anyone not accepting AI may find it difficult but somebody who adds AI as a skill set to his knowledge base can definitely prosper and do better jobs,"Kumar stated, urging the youth to embrace these tools to boost productivity and solve complex customer problems.