Olympiad
Rules

Section 1General conduct

• Participants must be respectful toward all students, teachers, judges, organisers and volunteers.
• Foul, abusive or discriminatory language is strictly prohibited.
• Any form of harassment - verbal, physical or digital - results in immediate disqualification.
• Bullying, intimidation and disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.
• Any suspected misconduct must be reported to event staff immediately.

Section 2Fair play in the rounds

• Only the students registered on a team compete for it. A change to a team needs the Council's approval before the round it affects.
• No phones, smartwatches or other devices during a round, unless the category's own instructions allow them. Event staff may collect them for the length of a round.
• No outside help while a round is running: no notes, no messages, no AI tools, and nothing from teachers, friends or spectators.
• No communicating with other teams during a round, unless the round allows it. Doing so leads to disqualification.
• Everything a team hands in must be its own work, done within the rules of that category.
• Teams must be at their round when it starts. A team that is not there may forfeit it.
• Each category's own rules are given by its category team, and they apply alongside these.
• The judges' decisions in a round are final. A concern can be raised with the Council after the round, calmly and in writing.

Section 3Disciplinary actions

A participant found doing any of the following may cause their entire team to be disqualified.

Inappropriate language or behaviour

Vulgar language or disorderly conduct directed at staff, judges, organisers or fellow participants.

Unfair practices

Using any method to gain an unfair advantage over other teams, including copying, collusion and help from outside the team.

Non-compliance with judging decisions

Disregarding or disputing the final decisions of the judges. Concerns may be submitted to the Council afterwards.

False registration

Competing under somebody else's name, or entering a participant whose details or documents on the registration are not true.

Inappropriate or discriminatory content

Displaying racist, gender-discriminatory, suggestive or offensive content on a team name, a badge, a submission or anywhere else.

Vandalism or property damage

Intentional damage to or defacement of school or participant property, including graffiti and destruction of belongings.

Possession of weapons

Any item capable of causing harm, injury or damage is strictly prohibited.

Misconduct

Includes attempted bribery, repeated disobedience of staff, and other unacceptable behaviour.

Inappropriate dress

Clothing must be tidy, well maintained and presentable. Clothing carrying offensive, suggestive or inappropriate imagery or language is forbidden.

Drugs and prohibited items

Possession of drugs, illegal substances, vapes or cigarettes results in immediate dismissal.

Section 4Identity on site

• Wear the Olympiad ID card you are given, where it can be seen, for all three days.
• Event staff may ask any participant to show it, and may check it against the registration.
• An ID card is not passed to anybody else, for any reason.

Section 5Safety and discipline

• Physical violence, threats and unsafe behaviour are grounds for immediate expulsion.
• Students must follow every safety instruction given by the organisers, especially in the laboratories and practical areas.
• Running, pushing and rough play in corridors, labs and waiting zones is prohibited.
• In an emergency, follow the instructions of event staff. Not doing so leads to penalties.

Section 6Student protection

• Respectful and appropriate interaction between all participants is mandatory.
• Any behaviour that compromises the comfort or safety of female students will result in strict disciplinary action.
• No loitering near female-only areas, washrooms or break zones.
• No pairing off, isolating yourself with another participant, or any behaviour that could be read as inappropriate or suggestive.
• Photographing or filming other participants without their explicit permission is strictly forbidden.
• Modesty, respect and dignity are to be upheld throughout the event.

Section 7Movement and the venue

• Participants must stay within their designated zones at all times.
• Moving into restricted or unassigned areas is not allowed.
• During breaks, use only the official waiting and rest areas provided.
• Hallways must be kept clear - no wandering or crowding in prohibited spaces.
• Entry and exit follow the directions of event staff and security.

Section 8Property and equipment

• Participants are responsible for their own belongings. The organisers are not liable for loss or damage.
• Equipment and materials issued in a round must be handled carefully and returned properly.
• Theft, vandalism or tampering with event property leads to disqualification, and your school is notified.

Section 9Dress code

• Formal or semi-formal dress, Western or traditional: for example a collared shirt with trousers or jeans, or shalwar kameez, a formal blouse or similar traditional dress.
• Clothing must be opaque and appropriately layered, and give reasonable coverage.

Section 10Food and drink

• Eat only in the designated areas.
• No food or drink in the STEM zones.
• Keep your area clean and put rubbish in the bins.
• Outside food and drink are not allowed.

Section 11Registration

• A place is held only once the Council has matched the payment to the registration. Until then the registration is not confirmed.
• Everything on a registration, including every document attached to it, has to be true and has to belong to the person it is attached to.
• CNIC and B-form numbers and photos are seen only by the Council and are never published, and the numbers are deleted after the Olympiad.
• Fees are not refundable. Once paid, a fee is not returned if a participant or team withdraws, does not attend, or is disqualified.

Section 12Photographs and filming

• The society photographs and films the Olympiad. By taking part, participants agree that photographs and video of them at the event may be published on the society's website and social media.
• Anybody who would rather not appear should tell the Council before the Olympiad, and they will be kept out of what is published.
• This does not change the rule above: participants may not photograph or film each other without permission.

Section 13Changes to these rules

The Council may change these rules, and each category team may change the rules of its own category. Any change is circulated to every registered team before it applies.

Questions about anything here go to the Council through the contact page or the Olympiad WhatsApp group.