The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) has unveiled the winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) for 2025, the world’s oldest international essay contest for school students. This year’s competition achieved a historic milestone, receiving an unprecedented 53,434 entries from all 56 Commonwealth member nations—a 53% increase from 2024. Entries poured in from 54 countries, with significant contributions from Ghana, Nigeria, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Maldives. The theme, *Our Commonwealth Journey*, encouraged participants to reflect on the Commonwealth’s evolution since its inception in 1949, exploring its diverse cultural, geographical, and societal impact across five continents and a population of 2.7 billion people. A distinguished panel of judges, including luminaries like Sir Ben Okri, Imtiaz Dharker, and Victoria Hislop, selected the winners. The senior winner, Kaira Puri (17) from India, was recognized for her essay *When the Gates Open: From Mud to Stone*, which intertwines mathematics, economics, and personal experience. The junior winner, Vivaan Agarwal (14), also from India, impressed with *Pixels, Poetry and Bridging the Partition Between Us*, advocating for unity and dialogue. Runners-up included Pandora Onyedire (17) from Nigeria and Lakshmi Manognya Achanta (14) from Singapore, whose works explored identity, hope, and cultural heritage. The RCS extended heartfelt gratitude to participants, volunteer judges, and supporters, emphasizing the competition’s role in fostering creativity, empathy, and global connection among young writers.
Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 winners announced by Royal Commonwealth Society
