Olympiads

About Olympiad Examination

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is an educational foundation and a non profit organisation, established in 1996, based in New Delhi, India which promotes science, mathematics, general knowledge, introductory computer education and English language skills among school children in India through various Olympiad examinations. It helps students in their studies by providing higher level of education through their books,sample papers & Olympiads

Stages of Science Olympiads

Stage 1: The first stage examination, the National Standard Examination (NSE) is the organisational responsibility of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). The academic responsibility for Chemistry and Biology rests with the Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT) and the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS) respectively, while Physics, Astronomy and Junior Science are handled by IAPT itself. The NSEs are tests with objective type questions and are offered in English and Hindi, with additional languages also available in Physics. The syllabus is broadly equivalent to up to Class XII (for Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Class X (for Junior Science) of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). However, the questions in all levels of Olympiads (including NSEs) may be expected to be of a higher difficulty level than the board examinations. These examinations are held close to the end of November every year at nearly 1400 centres across the nation. Students can register for this preliminary stage at their own schools. The registration fee is Rs 100, which is the only fee that the student has to pay in the entire process up to the International Olympiads.

Stage 2: The best-performing students from the NSEs (approximately 300 in each subject) qualify for the second stage — the Indian National Olympiads (INOs). The responsibility of the programme from this stage onwards lies with HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION [HBCSE]. The INOs are held in late January at around 18 centres across the country. The syllabus is same as that of the NSEs. The tests consist of objective as well as long questions.

Stage 3: The top students from the INOs (approximately 35 in each subject) are invited for the third stage, the Orientation-cum-Selection Camps (OCSCs) held at HBCSE during April to June. At these camps orientation is provided to students for Olympiad level of theoretical, experimental and observational (for astronomy) tasks. Emphasis is laid on developing conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills. Students are exposed to innovative experiments with focus on conceptual and procedural understanding in experimental science. In astronomy, students are trained in basic notions in astrophysics, astronomical data analysis and night sky observations. Several theoretical and experimental/observational tests are held during the camp. On the basis of performance in these tests, few students (numbers specified below) are selected to represent India at the international Olympiads.

Stage 4: The selected Indian teams undergo a rigorous training programme at HBCSE in theory and experiment and in case of astronomy, observational astronomy prior to their departure for the international Olympiads. Special laboratories have been developed in HBCSE for this purpose. Resource persons from different institutions across the country are invited to the training camps.

 Stage 5: The Olympiad programme culminates with the participation of the Indian students (4-6 in each subject) in the International Olympiads. The students are accompanied by 2-4 teachers or mentors. Almost every Indian student who has participated in the Science and Astronomy Olympiads has returned with a medal.

National Science Olympiads

The NSO is conducted on two levels each year. It was the first Olympiad to be conducted by SOF. It is being conducted since 1996. Students from class I-XII may participate in the examination. It is conducted in partnership with Techfest, the annual science and technology festival of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

The IMO is conducted on two levels each year. Students from class I-XII may participate in the examination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Indian National Olympiad Programme?
A: Indian National Olympiad Programme refers to systematic activity supported by government of India to select and train Indian teams for various International Olympiads.

Q: Who conducts Indian National Olympiad Examinations?
A: Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (TIFR), Mumbai is the nodal agency for most of the National Olympiads. Following Table indicates coordinating agency for each of the Olympiads supported and approved by Government of India.

Q: Who provides financial support for the Olympiad Programme?
A: National Olympiad Programme is supported by grants received from various ministries of government of India. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) each provide partial support for multiple Olympiads. Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space and Ministry of Culture support specific Olympiads. Indian participation in IOI is supported by Sasken Communication Technologies Ltd.

Q: What is nature of questions in NSEs?
A: All NSEs comprise of objective questions with multiple choices. Candidates have to mark their responses in an OMR sheet.

Q: When are the NSEs held?
A: NSEJS is held on 3rd Sunday of November and remaining NSEs are held on the 4th Sunday of November. The candidates are advised to consult respective regional coordinators for exact dates.

Q: Are certificates issued to all successful candidates in NSEs?
A: IAPT / ATC / ATBS issue certificates to meritorious candidates in NSEs. These may include certificates like “Centre top 10%”, “State top 1%” and “National top 1%”. Issuance of any such certificates is purely merit based and not necessarily correlated to selection for INO. It is possible that a candidate may qualify for INO but may not be eligible to get any merit certificate for NSE performance. It is also possible that a candidate getting one or more of these certificates may not qualify for corresponding INO. Candidates are advised to retain their letter of selection to INOs and their admit card as a proof of selection.

Q: I am eligible to get the NSE merit certificate. How can I get it?
A: IAPT / ATC / ATBS will send certificates (and in some cases, book prizes) for meritorious candidates to their NSE enrollment centre. You may contact your NSE centre in February.

Q: How many students are selected to appear for INO?
A: About 300 students are selected to appear for INBO, INChO, INJSO and INPhO. About 500 students are selected to appear for INAO. About 960 students are selected to appear for INMO.

Q: What are the rules for selection to INMO?
A: For INMO, about 30 students are selected from each region in order of merit. A few female students are added to the list as additional students.

Q: When are the INOs held?
A: INOs are held on the weekend closest to 31st January. INAO, INJSO and INChO are held on Saturday. INPhO and INBO are held on Sunday. INMO is held on 3rd Sunday of January.

Q: What is nature of questions in INOs?
A: Questions in INOs comprise of descriptive as well as objective questions. Syllabus for INOs is broadly equivalent to corresponding NSEs / RMO.

Q: When are INO results declared?
A: Students get information about their INO score by last week of February. Students can request for revaluation of their scores if they desire. Final INO results are typically declred before March 15.

Q: When are INO cut-off scores declared?
A: INO cut-off scores are declared along with the final result and not before.

Q: Can the INO scores reduce in revaluation?
A: Yes. INO scores can reduce in revaluation.

Disclaimer
For latest updates related to Olympiads, you may visit the official website of Olympiads. The information provided herein is intended to provide a basic over view of the exam only and should not be your treated as your only reference point of information about the exam