Rules

Rules & Regulations – Contest 2025

By entering Contest 2025, each participant agrees that they have read, understood, and will abide by the following Rules & Regulations.

General Rules & Guidelines for Submission

The entrant must be the sole copyright owner and creator of the submitted image(s).
Submitted images must not infringe upon the copyright, ownership, or rights of any individual, organization, or entity.
The entrant agrees to maintain the highest ethical standards in all matters related to the contest and their submissions.
Entrants must not disclose any confidential information that could damage the reputation of the contest or organizers.
The entrant grants the Organizers full rights to use the submitted images for promotional activities, corporate brochures, calendars, exhibitions, and related purposes.
Due credit to the photographer will be provided wherever images are used.
All submitted images must have a title. Images without a title or labelled as “Untitled” will be disqualified.
All official communication will be done only via email. Entrants must provide a valid email ID, mobile number, and complete postal address.
Any entry found to be in violation of the rules at any stage may be disqualified without prior notice.
All submissions must be made online only through the official portal: www.__________.in (All required details must be filled accurately.)
Entries are accepted only in digital format.
In case of any dispute, the decision of the Jury shall be final and binding.
All disputes shall be subject to Dehradun jurisdiction only.
The Organizers shall not be held responsible for delays or non-performance due to force majeure events, including but not limited to natural calamities, civil disturbances, or acts beyond reasonable control.

Submissions – Not Permitted

The following types of images will not be accepted:

Images featuring farm birds, family pets, nesting birds, caged birds, or captive/domestic animals
Images captured with human intervention or containing man-made objects or structures
Trap camera images
Images that have already won any award, certificate, or exhibition selection in previous CPA Contests or Exhibitions

Image Submission Rules

Maximum 2 images per category per entrant (Total maximum: 6 images per entrant)
Images must be submitted only in digital format
Both colour and black & white images are allowed
File format: JPEG only, saved at highest quality
Colour space: sRGB or Adobe RGB
Resolution: 1920 pixels on the longest side
Maximum file size: 2 MB
No borders, watermarks, or signatures allowed
AI tools are strictly prohibited for cloning, adding, or removing any elements (Only dust spot removal is permitted).
Permitted adjustments (must maintain authenticity and not misrepresent reality):
- Tone and contrast correction
- Cropping
- Burning and dodging
- Sharpening
- Noise reduction
- Minor cleaning
Adding, cloning, or removing objects, animals, plants, people, or parts thereof is not allowed
Entrant’s name must not appear in the caption or on the image
EXIF data must be intact, including camera, lens, and exposure details
Stitched panoramas and focus stacking are allowed only in the “Naturescapes” category

Authentication Requirements (For Shortlisted Images)

Shortlisted entrants must submit the following for verification:

Original RAW files (e.g., .CR2, .NEF, etc.)
High-resolution TIFF (.tif) files
If selected for prize or exhibition, TIFF files must:
- Match the submitted JPEG in colour and cropping
- Be suitable for maximum print resolution
- Not be upscaled
- Not exceed 100 MB
For stitched panoramas or focus-stacked images, all RAW and high-resolution files must be submitted
Failure to submit required files will result in disqualification

How to Participate

Submissions open from 1st October 2025
Entrants must email low-resolution images for screening:
- Aspect ratio: 3:2 or 2:3
- File size: 1 MB to 2 MB
- Maximum: 6 images per person
Images must be sent as email attachments only to: ________________________
Do not send high-resolution files, WeTransfer links, or multiple emails at this stage

After Shortlisting

Selected participants will be requested to submit high-resolution files with the following specifications:

File format: TIFF
Size: 18″ × 12″ at 300 dpi (or 5400 × 3600 pixels)
Orientation: Horizontal or Vertical
Colour profile: Adobe RGB
No borders or watermarks

Images will be printed and framed by the organizers to ensure uniform quality standards.

Entry Limit

A maximum of 6 images per participant across all categories combined
Not 6 images per category