Awards Programme
The International Award for Young People — the world's leading youth achievement award — has been offered at Axel since 2018. Students from Class VIII to XII earn Bronze, Silver and Gold by developing a skill, serving their community, building physical fitness and undertaking an expedition. No selection. Just commitment.
IAYP Centre since 2018 · Open to Class VIII–XII · Recognised in 130+ countries
a licensed IAYP centre
since 2018
enrolled in 2025–26
the IAYP Gold Award
About the IAYP at Axel
What is the IAYP?
The International Award for Young People (IAYP) — the Indian equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award — is a globally recognised achievement programme for students aged 14 to 25. Axel Public School has been a licensed IAYP centre since 2018. Students complete structured activities across four components — Skill, Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey — at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
Why Axel offers it
The IAYP asks students to do things that academic results do not capture: persist through difficulty, serve a community, develop a physical discipline over months, and venture into unknown terrain. These are qualities Axel has always valued — the IAYP gives students external recognition for qualities the school has always tried to build. The award is recognised by universities and employers in over 130 countries.
The three award levels
Bronze Award
For: Class VIII students (age 14+)
Duration: Minimum 6 months
Components: Skill development (3+ months), Voluntary Service (3+ months), Physical Recreation (3+ months), Adventurous Journey (2-day expedition with overnight camp).
Students identify their own activities within each component — this is not a prescribed programme. A student might choose photography as their skill, tutoring younger students as service, swimming as physical recreation and a forest trek as their expedition.
Silver Award
For: Class X students (age 15+)
Duration: Minimum 12 months (6 if Bronze holder)
Components: Skill (6+ months), Voluntary Service (6+ months), Physical Recreation (6+ months), Adventurous Journey (3-day expedition, 2 overnight camps).
Silver level asks students to commit to a sustained activity over at least six months — long enough to move beyond enthusiasm into genuine development. The service component at Silver typically involves leading or organising, not just participating.
Gold Award
For: Class XII students (age 16+)
Duration: Minimum 18 months (12 if Silver holder)
Components: Skill (12+ months), Voluntary Service (12+ months), Physical Recreation (12+ months), Adventurous Journey (4-day expedition, 3 overnight camps), Residential Project (5 days away from home in an unfamiliar setting).
The Gold Award is one of the most recognised youth achievement awards in the world. Axel Gold holders have used it in university applications to universities in India, the UK and Australia.
How to enrol
Who can join
Any student from Class VIII onward can begin the Bronze Award. There is no selection process — the IAYP is open to every Axel student who chooses to take it on. Students who joined in Class VIII and maintained their programme through Class XII have received all three awards before leaving school.
Enrolment opens every April. Students meet the school's IAYP Coordinator (Vice Principal — Student Affairs) to register their activities and identify an appropriate adult Assessor for each component. Most Axel faculty serve as Assessors.
Recognition & outcomes
The IAYP Gold award is cited by the National Youth Awards of India and is recognised in university admissions by institutions in over 130 countries, including Indian universities. Several Axel alumni have cited the IAYP in successful applications to universities in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US. The Award's emphasis on sustained self-directed effort distinguishes applicants in competitive fields.
Gold award holders receive their awards at a national ceremony. Axel has had three Gold holders since the programme began in 2018. 22 students are currently enrolled across all three levels as of 2025–26.
Earn an award the world recognises.
The IAYP Bronze, Silver and Gold are cited in university applications in over 130 countries. Enrolment opens every April. Speak to the Vice Principal (Student Affairs) to begin your programme.