A live, timing-based technical quiz conducted before the build stages to test participants' knowledge of electronics, embedded systems, sensors, actuators, and basic control logic. The highest-scoring teams will qualify for Stage 1 based on the number of registrations and available build slots.

• All registered teams must participate using their own device through the designated online quiz platform.
• Each question must be answered within the specified time limit; scoring will be based on the platform's accuracy and speed criteria.
• The quiz will consist of 30 technical questions, and the quiz platform will determine the final scores and rankings.
• Participants must follow the quiz instructions and must not use external assistance or unauthorized resources.
• The organizers' decision regarding qualification and ranking will be final.

The turret must detect and aim at a target placed 40–60 cm away within a randomly assigned 90° pan angle, and score points by accurately targeting the concentric rings. Each team will have a 60-second match window, with the target height and exact position revealed by the organizers on the day.

• Target distance, pan angle, and height will be set by the organizers and must not be altered by participants.
• Scoring ranges from 10 points at the centre to 1 point at the outer ring, with judges visually evaluating the final score.

A target moves along a 1–1.5 m rail, positioned 60–80 cm from the turret, while teams detect and track it using their own sweeping IR sensor. Each team gets a 90-second match window, with the target movement speed varying between heats and finals.

• Teams must rely only on their own IR sensor for target detection; no target-position feed will be provided.
• Scoring is based on hit/no-hit only, with no ring-based scoring for moving targets.