Rules

Who can enter

• You must be 18 or older.
• You need a UPI ID linked to an Indian bank account to receive prize money.
• Each competition says how many entries one person may send (usually one).

What you can send

• One original poem in the form and language named on the competition page (for example, a Punjabi ghazal).
• It must be entirely your own work. Copied lines, or poems written by AI tools, are not allowed.
• Unless the competition page says otherwise, a ghazal must have 5 to 11 complete couplets (10 to 22 lines, two lines per couplet).
• You can edit your entry until you pay. After paying, it can't be changed.

Entry fee

Each competition shows its entry fee. Your poem joins the competition once the fee is paid through our payment partner, Razorpay (UPI, cards or netbanking). You then get an entry code, such as SB-OCT26-047.

How poems are judged

This is a competition of skill. Every poem is judged on its craft, never on luck. Judges see only the entry code, never your name. Each poem is scored out of 100:

• Matla & maqta (20): Strength of the opening and closing couplets
• Radeef & qafiya (20): Consistent refrain and rhyme through every sher
• Beher (meter) (20): Keeping one meter throughout
• Imagery & meaning (20): Fresh images, depth of thought
• Emotional depth (20): How strongly the ghazal moves the reader

Scores are prepared with the help of an AI assistant, working strictly to this scoring guide, and every result is reviewed by the Sherbaazi jury before it is published. If two poems have the same score, the entry paid for first ranks higher. The jury's decision is final.

Minimum entries

Each competition may set a minimum number of paid entries. If it isn't reached, the competition page says what happens:

• Scaled prizes: the competition goes ahead and each prize is reduced in proportion. For example, with half the minimum entries, each prize is halved.
• Refund: the competition is cancelled and every entry fee is refunded. See the refund policy.

Copying and disqualification

We check entries for copied work. An entry that is copied, written by AI, breaks these rules, or contains hateful or abusive content can be disqualified at any time, even after results. The entry fee for a disqualified entry is not refunded, and any prize must be returned.

Results and prizes

• Results are published on the Winners page on the date shown on each competition.
• Every poet in the competition receives their score and a short note from the judge by email.
• Prize winners get a certificate. Prize money is sent to the UPI ID given with the entry, usually within 7 days of the results.
• Winners' names, cities, photos and Instagram usernames (if given) and poems are shown on our website and social media, and we may tag winners. Phone numbers, emails and UPI IDs are never shown.

Your poem stays yours

You keep the copyright of your poem. By entering, you allow Sherbaazi to publish winning poems, and short extracts of any entry, on our website and social media, always with your name. See the terms for details.