Back to MBA ArticlesThe Inside Edge · Issue #36
GRAD 3.0 · Skincare & Dermatology · First & Second Years
A trivia quiz can fast track your team straight to the national finale.
GRAD 3.0 is Galderma's flagship business case competition for first and second year MBA students who want to build brands in skincare, dermatology, and consumer healthcare. With prizes worth ₹6 lakhs, PPI opportunities for national finalists, and a unique fast track mechanic through the opening trivia quiz, this is one of the most structured competitions on the derma-cosmetic calendar.
Why this matters
GRAD 3.0 is one of the few competitions where a non-eliminatory trivia quiz can skip you two full rounds. The top two teams from every campus move straight to the Executive Summary round, and the top five teams across India advance directly to the Detailed Submission round. With a prize pool of ₹6 lakhs and PPIs on the line for national finalists, the opening quiz is far more valuable than it looks.
What is on the table
Rewards, PPIs, and recognition
The cash rewards are significant, but the real draw is the pre-placement interview opportunity for teams that reach the national finale.
Cash rewards
Winner: ₹3,00,000 · First Runner-up: ₹2,00,000 · Second Runner-up: ₹1,00,000.
Career outcome
PPI opportunity for national finalists with Galderma.
Recognition
E-certificates for all participants who complete the competition.
Exposure
National finalists present to Galderma leadership at the company office, with travel and accommodation managed by the Galderma team.
Read this before you register
The trivia quiz is non-eliminatory but strategically critical
The opening trivia quiz does not eliminate anyone from the competition, but it does determine who gets the fast track. Only the team leader takes it, and the top performers skip multiple rounds. Prepare for it seriously, because a high score here saves you weeks of work later.
Who can apply
Eligibility is broader than most pharma competitions
GRAD 3.0 is open to first and second year full-time MBA and PGDM students from the top 60 B-schools. Teams can have one to three members, and cross-year and cross-specialisation teams are allowed.
1
First and second year students can both apply
Unlike competitions restricted to first years only, GRAD 3.0 welcomes both years. Second year students can bring placement and internship context, while first years can bring fresh consumer insight.
2
Top 60 B-schools are eligible
The campus list is wide, so check the official registration page to confirm your institute. If your campus is on the list, this is a strong competition to add to your calendar.
3
Teams of one to three members
You can compete solo or in a team of up to three. Cross-year teams are allowed, so consider pairing a first year marketer with a second year strategist.
4
Team leader takes the quiz and MCQ
Only the registered team leader can attempt the trivia quiz and the Round 1 MCQ assessment. Pick your strongest general knowledge and aptitude person as the leader.
The journey
Four rounds from registration to the national finale
GRAD 3.0 follows a clear funnel. Each round filters teams further, and the fast track from the trivia quiz can put you significantly ahead.
1
Trivia Quiz
Test your brand knowledge and unlock a fast pass
A non-eliminatory quiz attempted only by the team leader. It covers Galderma's heritage, leadership, and brands. The top two teams from each college advance straight to the Executive Summary round, and the top five teams across India skip all the way to the Detailed Submission round.
Window: 04 Aug 2026, 10:30 AM to 04:30 PM IST.
Tip: Treat this like a scored round. Past finalists say the quiz rewards people who read Galderma's India website, leadership profiles, and recent brand launches. A strong score here saves you weeks of submission work, so assign your most prepared member as team leader.
Tip: Treat this like a scored round. Past finalists say the quiz rewards people who read Galderma's India website, leadership profiles, and recent brand launches. A strong score here saves you weeks of submission work, so assign your most prepared member as team leader.
2
Round 1 - MCQ Assessment
Twenty questions in thirty minutes
All teams participate in a 20-question MCQ assessment focused on logical reasoning, aptitude, and marketing skills. The team leader has an eight-hour window to complete the 30-minute test. Qualifying teams move to the Executive Summary round.
Window: 06 Aug 2026, 10:30 AM to 06:29 PM IST.
Tip: The 30-minute limit is tighter than it sounds. Practice quick marketing aptitude questions beforehand and pick a distraction-free slot within the eight-hour window. In previous editions, teams that treated this as a casual formality often missed the cutoff.
Tip: The 30-minute limit is tighter than it sounds. Practice quick marketing aptitude questions beforehand and pick a distraction-free slot within the eight-hour window. In previous editions, teams that treated this as a casual formality often missed the cutoff.
3
Round 2 - Executive Summary Submission
A two-slider proposal in PPT and PDF
Shortlisted teams submit a two-slide proposal summary in both PPT and PDF formats, outlining their innovative solution to the given problem statement. This is your first chance to show strategic clarity and consumer-first thinking.
Window: 07 Aug to 17 Aug 2026.
Tip: Two slides force you to choose one sharp insight and one clear recommendation. Use the first slide for the consumer tension and the second for your solution and expected impact. Judges scan dozens of these, so avoid dense text.
Tip: Two slides force you to choose one sharp insight and one clear recommendation. Use the first slide for the consumer tension and the second for your solution and expected impact. Judges scan dozens of these, so avoid dense text.
4
Round 3 - Detailed Summary Submission
An eight to ten slide presentation
Shortlisted teams expand their idea into an 8 to 10 slide presentation, excluding cover and annexure slides, in both PPT and PDF. The top teams from this round advance to the National Grand Finale.
Window: 28 Aug to 06 Sep 2026.
Tip: This is where past winners pulled ahead by backing their story with dermatologist quotes, market data, and a realistic rollout plan. Keep the main deck narrative-driven and move supporting numbers to the annexure so the flow stays crisp.
Tip: This is where past winners pulled ahead by backing their story with dermatologist quotes, market data, and a realistic rollout plan. Keep the main deck narrative-driven and move supporting numbers to the annexure so the flow stays crisp.
5
Round 4 - National Grand Finale
Pitch to Galderma leadership in person
The top teams present their solutions to the Galderma leadership team at the Galderma office. Travel and accommodation are managed by Galderma. Each finalist team gets dedicated time to engage directly with leaders before the winner is announced.
Date: 28 Sep 2026, 03:30 AM to 12:30 PM IST.
Tip: Finalists from earlier editions highlight that the Q&A matters as much as the pitch. Expect questions on budget, brand fit, and implementation. Rehearse with a mentor or senior who can play the sceptical brand head and stress-test every assumption.
Tip: Finalists from earlier editions highlight that the Q&A matters as much as the pitch. Expect questions on budget, brand fit, and implementation. Rehearse with a mentor or senior who can play the sceptical brand head and stress-test every assumption.
The case theme this season
GRAD 3.0 invites participants to think bigger than individual products and brands. The brief asks for forward-looking strategies that respond to the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the future of skincare.
That means your submission should do three things: bring data-driven insights that challenge the status quo, design market-ready solutions for the derma-cosmetic space, and keep the consumer at the centre of every recommendation.
Submission rules
What Galderma actually wants in your deck
The guidelines are specific. Follow them exactly, because evaluators use format compliance as a first filter.
1
Executive Summary is two slides
Do not submit a ten-slide deck for the Executive Summary round. Stick to two slides that clearly state the problem, your insight, and your proposed solution.
2
Detailed submission is 8 to 10 slides excluding cover and annexure
Use the space to show consumer insight, market analysis, your strategic recommendation, and a clear implementation plan. Keep the annexure for data sources and detailed assumptions.
3
Submit both PPT and PDF formats
Both file types are required for the Executive Summary and Detailed Submission rounds. Check that fonts, images, and layouts render correctly in PDF before uploading.
4
Only the team leader takes the quiz and MCQ
Register your strongest aptitude and brand-knowledge person as the team leader. Their performance in the early rounds determines whether the rest of the team gets to compete in later stages.
5
Watch the registration deadline
Registration closes on 03 Aug 2026 at 06:29 PM IST. Do not wait until the last day, because team verification and profile updates can take time.
How to win
Five moves that separate finalists from the rest
1
Study Galderma's brand portfolio deeply
Cetaphil, Benzac, Soolantra, Epiduo, and Restylane are all part of the Galderma family. Understand what each brand does, who it targets, and how it is positioned in India.
2
Prepare for the trivia quiz like it is a scored round
Read Galderma's global and India websites, recent press releases, leadership profiles, and brand heritage. The top two teams per campus and top five across India get a massive head start.
3
Build a consumer-first, not product-first, narrative
The brief explicitly asks for consumer-first strategies. Start with the consumer tension or unmet need, then show how Galderma's brands and capabilities can solve it.
4
Use data to challenge the status quo
Judges are looking for teams that bring fresh, data-driven insights. Cite market size, consumer behaviour trends, dermatologist perspectives, and competitor moves to make your argument credible.
5
Practice the finale pitch as a conversation
The National Grand Finale involves direct engagement with Galderma leadership. Anticipate questions on market feasibility, brand fit, budget, and implementation timeline. Rehearse with someone playing the sceptical brand head.
Resources worth an evening of your time
Official links and where to register
These are the only official sources you need. Click each link to open it in a new tab.
- GRAD 3.0 Official Registration Page
The official Unstop page with timelines, eligibility, guidelines, and the registration form.
- Galderma Global Website
Understand Galderma's heritage, leadership, and global brand portfolio before the trivia quiz.
Click on each link above to register and read the official guidelines before you apply.
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