SESSION 4 OF NATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

SESSION 4 OF NATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

21-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI-----------------------------India’s leading pre-school network, Bachpan Play School, and Academic Heights Public School (AHPS) have officially announced the 2026 edition of their prestigious national platform, the ‘AHPS-Bachpan Competition of Dance’ (ABCD). Dedicated to the holistic development of children, this competition returns this year with renewed enthusiasm, with its Grand Finale scheduled to be held in Delhi-NCR on August 29, 2026. Registration for this mega event has commenced, and the deadline for applications is set for July 15, 2026.

The ABCD competition is the result of the collaborative efforts of Bachpan Play School and Academic Heights Public School. With over 1,100 centers across the country, Bachpan Play School and AHPS—a prominent K-12 institution—are committed to providing experiential learning to children, going beyond mere textbook knowledge. This platform has been designed to hone children's talents, foster a spirit of teamwork, and instill self-confidence.

Aligned with the objectives of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the ABCD competition promotes the holistic development of children by integrating performing arts with education. This initiative emphasizes experiential learning and creativity, thereby fostering the development of life skills and self-confidence alongside academic knowledge. Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Gupta, Founder and CEO of Bachpan Play School and AHPS, said, “ABCD is not merely a competition; it is a celebration of passion, perseverance, and creativity. Our vision is to create a platform where every child can hone their self-expression through dance. With Season 4, we are furthering our commitment to providing a national stage for young talent.”

The highlight of this year’s competition is the association of internationally acclaimed choreographer and creative visionary Melvin Louis, who will serve as a celebrity judge for the Grand Finale. ABCD boasts a magnificent legacy, having previously featured legendary actress Sudha Chandran (Season 1, 2023), renowned choreographer Dharmesh Sir (Season 2, 2024), and contemporary dance star Vartika Jha (Season 3, 2025) as mentors for the children.

The competition is divided into several categories based on age groups:

• Bachpan Groovers: Playgroup to UKG (Solo dance only).

• Junior Rockstars: Classes 1 to 5 (Solo and group dance).

• Senior Swaggers: Classes 6 to 12 (Solo and group dance).

• Family Categories: To ensure parental participation, the ‘Mom’s Special’ and ‘Superhero Dad’ categories have been retained this year.

To foster inclusivity, the competition also features a “Golden Ticket” option. This special opportunity is designed for talented children who are not part of the Bachpan or AHPS network but wish to showcase their dance skills on a national stage. The Golden Ticket initiative includes categories such as Golden Groovers (2–6 years), Golden Rockstars (7–11 years), and Golden Swaggers (12–18 years).

Attractive cash prizes have also been announced for outstanding performers. In each category, a first prize of ₹10,000, a second prize of ₹7,500, and a third prize of ₹5,000 will be awarded.

The competition's selection process is entirely transparent and digital. Participants must register via the school portal, upload a video of their dance (maximum 3 minutes long) to YouTube, and share the link. The results of the first round will be announced on July 25, following which the selected participants will take part in the Grand Finale in Delhi-NCR.

The ABCD competition is once again set to prove that when children are given the right opportunity and platform, their talent and confidence become their greatest achievements.