General Rules

The following rules are applicable to all contests:

• There will be no on-site registration. It is the responsibility of the contestant/parents to register their children on-line before the registration deadline as applicable to each center.
• It is the responsibility of the contestant to be present at the contest room 10 minutes before the contest starts. Latecomers will not be allowed to compete in the contests.
• The Foundation reserves the right to verify the date of birth and/or grade of the contestants and revoke the rank(s) and prize(s) in case of any discrepancy.
• A contestant can participate in only one regional center for any given contest. Further, in any contest category, the contestant can participate in only one contest. For example, a contestant cannot participate in both Junior and Intermediate Vocabulary Bees. Similarly, a contestant cannot participate in both Junior and Senior Spelling Bees. The same rule applies to Math, Geography, Essay and Public Speaking categories.
• Once you have registered for a particular center, a parent is allowed to transfer to another center (for the same contest) as long as the new center is in the same cluster and the registration deadline has not passed in either center. However, switching is not allowed from one contest to another or from one child to another.
• It is the responsibility of the parent to make certain that his/her child is not participating in more than one contest at the same time.
• The spelling and vocabulary contests shall be judged using Webster's Third New International Unabridged Dictionary, copyright 1986 or later version, Merriam-Webster Inc. Words shall be pronounced according to the diacritical markings of the dictionary.
• Contestants are responsible for bringing pencils and erasers. The Foundation provides Phase I material for spelling, vocabulary, geography, math and essay writing contests.
• Parental interruption in any form during the contest is unacceptable and the Foundation reserves the right to ask the parent(s) to leave the contest venue or face disqualification of the contestant.
• A contestant has the right to dispute judge's decision and request a hearing before the start of the next round in spelling, vocabulary and geography bees. Parents are not allowed to approach judges directly. Parents can submit a written complaint/dispute to an onsite volunteer who will, based upon the merits of the claim, refer the matter to the judges at the end of that round. In any dispute, decision of the judges is final.
• The Foundation reserves the right to conduct a tie-breaker and/or announce joint winners or declare winners based on criteria that it deems fit to end the contest in a timely manner.
• Any changes to the rules will be announced before the start of the competition, but the judges always have the right to change rules on site without prior notice if the situation warrants. All decisions by the judges are final.
• At the regional level, depending on the number of contestants, medals and certificates may be given for the first, second and third place winners. There should be a minimum of 10 contestants to have all the three ranks declared; a minimum of 8 to 9 contestants to declare first and second ranks; a minimum of 5 contestants to have the first rank declared; and no ranks will be declared if there are less than 5 contestants.
• No videography nor the use of cell cameras is permitted during the contests. The Foundation reserves the right to take photos and videos for its use. Parents are not pemitted to copy questions or answers during the contest. Obervers who do not have chidlren taking the contest in the room are not allowed without written permisison from North South Foundation.
• The registration fees are non-refundable. If you withdraw from a contest after registering, your registration fee can be considered as a 100 percent tax-deductible donation to the Foundation.
• The Foundation conducts educational activities on a "best efforts basis" for the benefit of the NRI community and the underprivileged in India. The Foundation, its officers, and volunteers are not responsible for any human error and consequent hardship, in any form, caused to any person(s) or organization(s).
• The primary goal of these contests is to foster the spirit of competition and learning among the youth. Parents and children should focus on the joy of learning and interaction with other participants rather than on the possible outcome of the contest.
• The Foundation reserves the right to cancel a contest at a chapter level or at the national level if there is not sufficient number of registrants. If a contest is cancelled after registration, the Foundation will refund the registration fees paid. However, the Foundation, its officers, and volunteers are not responsible for any other consequences, in any form, as a result of such cancellation.
• A contest may not take place on the designated date under circumstances beyond the control of the Foundation. In such cases, the Foundation will try to reschedule the contest at a later date. In case the contest is not rescheduled, the Foundation will refund the registration fees paid. However, the Foundation, its officers, and volunteers are not responsible for any other consequences, in any form, as a result of such circumstances.