International Science Olympiad is a group of annually conducted international exams. Each of these exams is conducted in a member country where students represent their country. The group of Olympiad Exams is International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), International Biology Olympiad (IBO), International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (IAAO), and International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO).
Table of Contents
- International Science Olympiad 2023 Exam Dates
- Selection Process for International Science Olympiad 2023
- Important Dates for Examination and Events
- International Science Olympiad Registration
- International Science Olympiad Syllabus
- International Science Olympiad Results
International Science Olympiad 2023 Exam Dates
The selection of students who represent the country at these prestigious events is divided into multiple stages. In India, these exams are conducted by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in close collaboration with multiple teacher associations such as the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), and the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS).
The International Science Olympiad program in India is fully funded by the following organizations.
- Board of Research in Nuclear Science, Department of Atomic Energy (BRNS, DAE).
- Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
- Indian 2 Space Research Organisation, Department of Space (ISRO, DoS).
Given below are some important dates for International Science Olympiads 2023-24.
| Exam | Date | |
| Orientation cum Training Camp | TBA | - |
| Junior Science Olympiad Orientation Camp (JSOOC)New | Aug 18 to Sept 10 and Oct 14 and Oct 15, 2023 | - |
| Astronomy Olympiad Orientation Camp (AOOC) | TBA | - |
| Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Physics (IOQP) | January 2024 (Tentative) | 9 am - 12 pm |
| Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Chemistry (IOQC) | January 2024 (Tentative) | 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm |
| Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Biology (IOQB) | January 2024 (Tentative) | 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm |
| Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Astronomy (IOQA) | January 2024 (Tentative) | 9 am - 12 pm |
| Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Junior Science (IOQJS) | January 2024 (Tentative) | 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm |
The National Olympiads are overseen by a National Steering Committee (NSC), constituted by DAE, and comprised of members of each funding agency as well as eminent experts in each subject.
Given below are some important dates for International Science Olympiads 2023-24.
| Particulars | Details |
| Application Begins |
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| Stage 1: International Olympiad Qualifier (IOQ) in Science Exam Date (NSE and INO Combined) |
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| Stage 2: Orientation-cum-Selection Camp |
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| Stage 3: International Science Olympiad (ISO) |
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Selection Process for International Science Olympiad 2023
The selection process is divided into five stages, with the last stage being the International Science Olympiad. These stages are:
Indian Olympiad Qualifier Examination (IOQ)
The first two stages of the HBCSE Science Olympiad NSE and INO are merged into a single stage called the Indian Olympiad Qualifier Examination (IOQ). For every subject, IOQ consists of two parts, National Standard Examination (NSE) and the Indian National Olympiad (INO). All the registered students can appear for IOQ parts 1 and 2, but only the students who qualify through performance in IOQ Part I (MCQ), will be evaluated with their IOQ part 2 (written exam).
The different subjects in Science Olympiad are,
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Physics (IOQPh)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Chemistry (IOQCh)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Biology (IOQB)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Astronomy (IOQA)
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Junior Science (IOQJS)
Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC)
HBCSE conducts OCSC camp is changed to Olympiad Orientation Camp conducted online. The camp lasts for a month where students are trained and tested to selected a group of students who can represent the country for the International Science Olympiad.
Pre Departure Camp (PDC) (Cancelled)
PDTC is a camp for students who are selected from OCSC’s and are given intensive training and individual attention so that they are prepared for all obstacles which they will face in the International Science Olympiad. The camp lasts for 8- 10 days.
International Science Olympiad (ISO)
The final section of the HBCSE Science Olympiad is the International Science Olympiad Exam. After four rigorous rounds of selection, the best-performing students are filtered in each round. International Science Olympiad is a global competition for students who have cleared all four rounds successfully.
International Science Olympiad Eligibility Criteria
Given below are the eligibility criteria for ISO.
- The student who is born between Jul 1, 1999, to Jun 30, 2004 (both days inclusive) is eligible for the exam.
- The candidate must be eligible to hold an Indian passport.
- The candidate must be studying and residing in India since Nov 30, 2016 or earlier.
- The candidate must not have completed the class XII board before Nov 30, 2018.
- The candidate must not have commenced or planning to commence studies in a University or equivalent studies before Jun 1, 2019.
International Science Olympiad Stages
Given below are the stages of the International Science Olympiads.
| Stages | Details |
| Stage 1 |
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| Stage 2 |
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| Stage 4 (Cancelled) |
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| Stage 4 |
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Important Dates for Examination and Events
Given below are some important dates.
| Event | Start Date |
| Registration for centres | September 15, 2021 |
| Enrollment of candidates | Announced Later |
| Last date for payment of fee and enrollment | Announced Later |
| Display of marks | Announced Later |
| Announcement of list of candidates of MI & above MAS | Announced Later |
| The final list of selected candidates for INO | To be announced |
Enrollment Fee Structure Junior Science (NSEJS)
Given below are details pertaining to the enrollment fee of NSEJS.
| Institution | Registration fee (per student per subject) | To be paid to IAPT (per student per subject) |
| Kendriya Vidyalaya and Others | INR 150 | INR 140 |
| Jawahar Navodyaya Vidyalaya | INR 110 | INR 110 |
| For other schools registered in JNV | INR 150 | INR 140 |
Enrollment Fee Structure Senior Science (NSE)
Given below are details pertaining to the enrollment fee of NSE.
| Institution | Registration fee | To be paid to IAPT |
| Kendriya Vidyalaya and Others | INR 150 | INR 120 |
| Jawahar Navodyaya Vidyalaya | INR 110 | INR 110 |
| For other schools registered in JNV | INR 150 | INR 120 |
International Science Olympiad Registration
Students interested in participating in ISO (all exams) have to complete NSE registration at the registration centres assigned by IAPT. IAPT will then assign an examination centre closest to the registration centre. Most registration centres are examination centres.
Note: All registration centres are not examination centres.
- Students can collect the admit card for NSE from their respective registration centres.
- Selected students who have qualified for INO will be sent an email stating their qualifications and have to register for INO. Failure to register will lead to disqualification.
International Science Olympiad Syllabus
International Olympiads also have a similar syllabus with a few extra topics which are subject-specific. Exam such as IJSO or IAAO combines the syllabus of multiple subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, etc.).
Science syllabus for most of the HBCSE exams is broadly equivalent to the concepts taught in senior secondary level (up to and including Class XII) of CBSE for NSE’s and INO’s.
International Science Olympiad Results
ISO results (IPhO, IChO, IAAO, IBO, and IJSO) are given at different times depending on the dates of the examination. Students can view the results on HBCSE olympiad website using their registration number and other required details.
