In a contest where sleeping was the only task, Pooja from Pune emerged as the unexpected champion — and walked away with a whopping ₹9.1 lakh in prize money. Her key to success? Sleeping consistently for 9 hours a day over 60 days.

The unique event, dubbed the “Great Indian Sleep Challenge”, invited over 1 lakh participants across the country to compete in a two-month-long contest focused on healthy sleep habits. Contestants were tracked using smart sleep monitors and scored based on sleep consistency, quality, duration, and routine discipline.

From the initial pool, only 15 finalists made it to the last round. But it was Pooja’s perfect record of 9-hour nightly sleep, combined with her stress-free routine and deep sleep metrics, that secured her the win.

“I used to think sleeping was just a luxury. Now I know it’s a superpower,” said Pooja after winning. “This contest helped me take control of my routine and reminded me how powerful rest can be.”

Organizers stated that the contest was designed to raise awareness around sleep health, as studies show that over 60% of Indians suffer from poor sleep habits, affecting productivity and mental well-being.

With ₹9.1 lakh in hand and the title of India’s Top Sleeper, Pooja is now encouraging others to prioritize sleep. Her message:
“Sleeping well isn’t lazy — it’s life-changing.”