Art For Change

We are pleased to present the ‘Art For Change’ series, an innovative initiative aimed at harnessing the transformative power of art to drive positive social and environmental impact through various competitions.  Through this series, we seek to inspire and empower school students across the nation to become agents of change by expressing their perspectives on pressing environmental issues through creative mediums. At USO, we believe that art has the power to transcend boundaries, spark dialogue, and inspire tangible solutions. By engaging young minds in artistic expression, we foster a culture of empathy, creativity, and activism, laying the foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future.

USO Activity Under 'Art For Change' Series - 2026

On the occasion of World Art Day, we are committed to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and community engagement by empowering young minds as catalysts for positive expression. Based on this vision, USO is proud to announce the theme for our upcoming national initiative for schools — ‘A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art’. This theme highlights the importance of unity in diversity and encourages students to use art as a medium to share ideas, build connections, and celebrate the spirit of togetherness within their communities.

About 'A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art'

Launched on the occasion of World Art Day, A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art was more than just an art initiative—it was a celebration of creativity, connection, and collective growth. The theme invited schools and students across the country to express their ideas, emotions, and stories through art, fostering a strong sense of belonging and unity. Like a garden enriched by diverse plants, every participant brought a unique perspective that contributed to a vibrant and inclusive creative space.

Through colours and imagination, participants explored themes of friendship, collaboration, and cultural diversity. Each artwork reflected how individuals can come together to create something meaningful, promoting empathy, mutual respect, and shared values within the community.

The initiative successfully showcased art as a powerful medium for bringing people closer, allowing ideas to flourish and connections to grow stronger. Every creation became a step towards building a more inclusive and compassionate community – one artwork at a time.

Details of the Competition

Click Here to Register

Download Student Participation List

Student Participation List for Inclusive Schools
Student Participation List for Special Schools

An Inclusive Competition

At USO, we are proud to promote inclusivity by extending our initiatives, such as the  ‘Art for Change’ competition, to special schools as well. By opening this competition to Special Schools, we aim to create a more diverse and equitable landscape in which every student has the chance to express themselves, showcase their talents, and contribute to society. In this way, we get to celebrate the unique perspectives and creativity of students from all backgrounds, inspiring change and promoting a culture of acceptance, understanding, and respect for diversity.

Competition Rules & Guidelines

Browse through the sections below to find all the details — including who can participate, the themes to choose from, how to submit entries, and important rules and guidelines.

Competition Success Of Our Journey Till Now

We take immense pride in the successful completion of this competition, which was made possible by the active participation and dedication of our participants. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and hard work have contributed significantly to the success of this event. It is truly gratifying to witness the positive impact and meaningful contributions made by each participant, highlighting the collective effort and spirit of collaboration that drove the competition’s success.

28

States & UT

588

Schools

30K+

Students

238

Prizes

21

States & UT

70

Schools

164

Teachers

9470

Students

Competition Winners

Following meticulous evaluation and deliberation, we identified the winners of the competition. These exceptional artworks were honored with Printed Certificates and Trophies, acknowledging their remarkable creativity and artistic prowess not only celebrates the talent and dedication of the participants but also encourages them to persist in their creative endeavors and contribute positively to the environment.

Sub - Junior Category
(Std. 1, 2 & 3)
Junior Category
(Std. 4, 5 & 6)
Pre - Senior Category
(Std. 7, 8 & 9)
Senior Category
(Std. 10, 11 & 12)
Independent Category
(5 yrs -15 yrs)
Independent Category
(16+ yrs)
With Support Category
(5 yrs -15 yrs)
With Support Category
(16+ yrs)

School Best Entry Awards

After thorough evaluation and consideration, we selected the best entry from each school for each category in the competition. These exceptional artworks were awarded with Printed Certificates and Medals as a token of recognition for their outstanding creativity and artistic merit. This recognition not only celebrates the talent and hard work of the students but also serves as encouragement for their continued artistic endeavors and contributions towards positive change.

  1. Junior Category: Avishaka Agarwal, Std. VI
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Himadri Rastogi, Std. VIII
  1. With Support Category: Yogesh Kumar, 5-15 yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Aditya Chadha, 16+ yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Krrish Rana, 16+ yrs.
  1. Independent Category: Zehra Ali, 5-15 yrs.
  1. Independent Category: Vani, 5-15 yrs.
  2. Independent Category: Nerine, 16+ yrs.
  1. Independent Category: Divyansh Sharma, 16+ yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Ananta Dubey, 5-15 yrs.
  1. Junior Category: Kabir, Std. VI 
  1. Independent Category: Advik Kaushik, 5-15 yrs.
  2. Independent Category: Vaibhav Chaudhary, 16+ yrs.
  3. With Support Category: Nancy Saini, 5-15 yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Parv Vankar J., Std. III
  2. Junior Category: Harshali Gulai, Std. V
  3. Senior Category: Alankrit Joshi, Std. XI
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Priyangshu Adhikary, Std. III
  2. Junior Category: Saplarshi Paul, Std. IV
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Ishita Maiti, Std. IX
  1. Junior Category: Anaya Bagga, Std. VI
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Aarohii Beniwal, Std. VII
  3. Senior Category: Gargi Kashyap, Std. XII
  1. With Support Category: Sannidhi Y., 5-15 yrs
  2. Independent Category: Syda Bibi Fathima, 5-15 yrs
  1. With Support Category: Shreya Saraswat, 5-15 yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Aarav Bhatt, 16+ yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Suyash Srivastav, 16+ yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Uthara V. Nair, Std. III
  2. Junior Category: Nanditha Bivin, Std. VI
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Devmadhav, Std. VIII
  1. Junior Category: Navya Shukla, Std. V
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Priyanshi Mathur, Std. I
  2. Junior Category: Ayansh Jain, Std. IV
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Radhya, Std. VIII
  4. Senior Category: Prachi, Std. XII
  1. Junior Category: Aarvi Singh, Std. V
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Alveena Khan, Std. VIII
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Naira Nathani, Std. III
  1. With Support Category: Rishan Pareek, 5-15 yrs.
  2. Independent Category: Adhitya Dabriyia, 5-15 yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Muskan Sharma, 16+ yrs.
  1. With Support Category: Y. John Samuel, 16+ yrs.
  2. With Support Category: C.P. Nandhitha Shree, 16+ yrs.
  3. Independent Category: M. Deepak, 5-15 yrs.
  4. Independent Category: N. Lavnya, 5-15 yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Chinmay, Std. III
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Jasmon Sandhu, Std. I
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Janvi Baalu, Std. IX
  3. Senior Category: Sonam Kaur, Std. X
  1. With Support Category: Lakshita, 5-15 yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Rahul Sharma, 16+ yrs.
  1. Independent Category: Hasheeta Bijlani, 16+ yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Krishna, 5-15 yrs.
  3. With Support Category: Tania Siddiqui, 16+ yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Vanya Singh, Std. III
  2. Junior Category: Rushita Jayant, Std. IV
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Aanya Sharma, Std. VII
  4. Senior Category: Radhika Agarwal, Std. X
  1. With Support Category: Payal, 5-15 yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Vandana, 16+ yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Abhay Singh, 5-15 yrs.
  4. Independent Category: Himanshu, 16+ yrs.
  1. Pre-Senior Category: Himanshi, Std. VII
  2. Senior Category: Devansh, Std. XI
  1. Junior Category: Ishanvi Mishra, Std. IV
  2. Senior Category: Sagarika Goyal, Std. X
  1. Junior Category: Mohd. Arhaan, Std. V
  1. With Support Category: Komagal Kanimozhi, 5-15 yrs.
  2. Independent Category: Deleena Ifra Arthik Daniel, 5-15 yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Dilli Babu, 16+ yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Amay Lohani, Std. III
  2. Junior Category: Divyanshi Banerjee, Std. IV
  3. Senior Category: Ishita Manish Marathe, Std. XI
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Sukhmeet Kaur, Std. I
  2. Junior Category: Aaryahi Soni, Std. V
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Shambhavi Singh, Std. IX
  1. Junior Category: Arjun Singh, Std.VI
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Yashika Jindal, Std. VIII
  1. Junior Category: Prajna Naresh Paine, Std. IV
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Garima Panehat, Std. VII
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Sharon Rose, Std. III
  2. Junior Category: S. Lasya Priya, Std. IV
  3. Pre-Senior Category: I. Murai Krishna, Std. VII
  1. With Support Category: Hari Mulani, 5-15 yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Madhav Gupta, 16+ yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Vidhya Kuldeep, 5-15 yrs.
  4. Independent Category: Man Thakar, 16+ yrs.
  1. Pre-Senior Category: Yuvaan Raut, Std. VII
  2. Senior Category: Krishika Lad, Std. XI
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Prashasti Verma, Std. I
  2. Junior Category: Advika Maurya, Std. VI
  1. Junior Category: Kanika, Std. V
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Navya Singhal, Std. IX
  1. Junior Category: Divya Chaudhary, Std. VI
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Sweleha, Std. VIII
  3. Senior Category: Rakshita Singh, Std. X
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Vidit Chandel, Std. III
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Aniyora, Std. VIII
  3. Senior Category: Shakshi, Std. X
  1. Junior Category: Gurseerat Kaur, Std. VI
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Namleen Gholia, Std. IX
  3. Senior Category: Avneesh Kaur Brar, Std. XII
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Adriyan G.P. Nair, Std. I
  2. Junior Category: Mahalekshmi S.B., Std. VI
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Adhidev R.A., Std. VIII
  1. Independent Category: Ekamjyot Singh, 5-15 yrs. 
  2. Independent Category: Samdish Mahajan, 16+ yrs.
  3. With Support Category: Utkarsh Vasdev, 16+ yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Tanish Shah, Std. I
  2. Junior Category: Qasim Patel, Std. VI
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Hitee Panchal, Std VIII
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Parth Goel, Std. III
  2. Junior Category: Arham Farhan, Std. V
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Aanya Bhutan, Std. VII
  4. Senior Category: Rashi Sharma, Std. X
  1. With Support Category: Devansh, 5-15+ yrs.
  2. With Support Category: Bharadwaj, 16+ yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Akash, 5-15 yrs.
  4. Independent Category: H. Durga Prasad, 16+ yrs.
  1. Junior Category: Tanshka Thakur, Std. IV
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Aayaan Gill, Std. VII
  3. Senior Category: Ananya Sharma, Std. XI
  1. Independent Category: Shubh Sharma, 5-15 yrs. 
  2. Independent Category: Vani Jain, 16+ yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Anaya Jain, Std. III
  2. Pre-Senior Category: Aradhya Agarwal, Std. VIII
  1. With Support Category: Oorja, 5-15 yrs.
  2. Independent Category: Saksham Vijan, 5-15 yrs.
  3. Independent Category: Himani Issar, 16+ yrs.
  1. Sub-Junior Category: Aliza Siraj, Std. III
  2. Junior Category: Myra Singh, Std. V
  3. Pre-Senior Category: Harsh Kumar, Std. VIII
  1. Junior Category: Ch. Rama Tulasi, Std. VI
  2. Senior Category: G. Satya Chandra, Std. X
  1. Junior Category:  K. Loharsh, Std. VI
  2. Pre-Senior Category: B. Arun Kumar, Std. VIII

Our Previous Activities

USO is committed to organizing a variety of extracurricular activities aimed at spreading awareness on specific issues. From workshops and seminars to interactive events and campaigns, we engage students in diverse activities designed to educate and inspire action. Through these initiatives, we aim to foster a sense of social responsibility and empower students to become agents of positive change in their communities.

Art For Change: Our Earth, Our Future (2025)

Art for Change: Our Earth, Our Future competition was organised by USO as a nationwide initiative to inspire environmental awareness and positive change through creativity.

Launched on March 22, the competition was not just about artistic skill, but also about encouraging students to explore diverse mediums and use art as a powerful tool to raise awareness about sustainability and our shared responsibility towards the planet.

With participation from 21 states and a total of 9,470 students, including 9,190 regular students and 280 specially-abled students.

Art For Change: Painting Out Plastics (2024)

Art for Change: Painting Out Plastics competition was organised by the USO as a nationwide initiative to inspire change through creativity.

  • Launched on March 22, the competition was not just about artistic skill, but also about celebrating human expression, unity, and the power of visual storytelling to raise awareness on environmental issues.
  • With participation from 24 states and a total of 6,600 students, including 6,254 regular students and 346 specially-abled students. 

National Drawing Competition For Specially Abled Children (2023)

The competition, aimed at highlighting the importance of women in our lives, offered a heartfelt platform for artistic expression and gratitude. The competition celebrated the impact of women-mothers, teachers, caregivers, and role models who inspire and empower, leaving a lasting impression on young hearts and mind.

  • This competition launched on February 3, and was centered around the theme ‘The Women Who Make a Difference in My Life’
  • This competition featured two inclusive categories: Individual and High Support.
  • The event witnessed participation from 14 states, covering 47 schools, and brought together 1,236 students who expressed their admiration through powerful and emotional artworks. 

ABC2 - Anybody Can Cartoon (2022)

This competition organised in partnership with Junior Diamond. The initiative successfully blended learning with expression, allowing young minds to engage with a socially significant issue through the powerful medium of art.

  • This national-level cartooning competition was launched on May 18 and was open to all schools across India. 
  • Centered on Gender Equality, the competition encouraged students to express their views on fairness, inclusion, and empowerment through creative visual storytelling.
  • It saw enthusiastic participation from 25 states, covering 91 schools, with a total of 2,378 students taking part. 

National Science Painting Competition For Specially-Abled Children (2021)

Held under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, this competition was launched on November 16 in collaboration with CSIR-NIScPR and in partnership with UNESCO. The initiative reflected a shared commitment to environmental awareness, scientific thinking, and global cooperation.

  • Competition theme, ‘Building Climate-Ready Communities’, was aligned with UNESCO’s theme for World Science Day for Peace and Development, encouraging students to explore the role of science and innovation in addressing climate challenges.
  • The event saw participation from 913 students across 34 schools in 15 states, providing a platform for young minds to creatively express their ideas and solutions for a sustainable, climate-resilient future. 

ABC2 - Anybody Can Cartoon (2020)

This competition, organised by USO in collaboration with Junior Diamond, was the first national-level online contest for schools.

  • Launched on July 6 and it was designed to offer comic relief during the stressful COVID-19 period while encouraging students to explore their creativity through humour and art.
  • Centered around the theme ‘Coronavirus’, the competition invited students to reflect on their pandemic experiences in a light-hearted and expressive way.
  • A total of 401 students from 34 schools across 16 states participated, making it a vibrant and unifying platform for creative expression during challenging times.

Specially Abled Children’s National Poster Making Competition (2020)

Held completely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this competition was organised in collaboration with CSIR-NIScPR and in association with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Launched on June 5, the initiative aimed to ensure continued student engagement and inclusion during the lockdown period.

A total of 27 schools participated, with students showcasing their creativity and resilience through this accessible and inclusive digital platform. The competition underscored the importance of equal opportunities and creative expression for all learners, regardless of circumstances.

Specially Abled Children’s National Science Painting Competition (2019)

This was our very first painting competition specially curated for children from special schools, marking a significant milestone in our journey toward inclusive education and creative empowerment. Organised in collaboration with CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) and UNESCO, and in association with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

The event was a heartfelt tribute to the artistic spirit and unique talents of differently-abled students across the country. Held in conjunction with World Students’ Day and the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. 

National Children’s Science Painting Competition (2018)

The painting competition held on the occasion of World Students’ Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was a vibrant tribute to the power of imagination and education. Organised in collaboration with CSIR-NISCAIR and UNESCO, the event brought together students from grades 1 to 12 across the nation, uniting them in a shared celebration of creativity, innovation, and national pride.

This initiative aimed not only to honor the legacy of Dr. Kalam India’s beloved “Missile Man” and a visionary scientist but also to encourage young learners to express their thoughts and dreams through the powerful medium of art. With themes inspired by science, peace and sustainability values close to Dr. Kalam’s heart .

Not A USO Member School?

We extend a warm invitation to special schools nationwide to become integral members of our community by applying for USO Membership. Our membership period spans from April 1 to March 31 each year.

With USO Membership, schools unlock the door to a spectrum of engaging activities, all conducted on a national level. While some events are accessible at a nominal charge, others may involve a nominal student participation fee. Registration is compulsory for participation in all our activities.

Join our vibrant community of schools and embark on a journey of exploration, learning, and camaraderie with USO – where each school is not just a member but an integral part of our shared educational journey.

Join our educational community by filling out our online Membership Form now (includes payment link).

Renew Your Membership

Have Questions?

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us: (011) 4106-8486 / 4165-1103 / 98100-46619 or email: info@usoindia.org