National Olympiads
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education is the nodal centre of the country for Olympiad programmes in mathematics and sciences including astronomy. The programmes aim at promoting excellence in science and mathematics among pre-university students.
The programme is financially supported by Government of India, in particular, by Board of Nuclear Sciences (Department of Atomic Energy), Department of Science and Technology, Department of Space and Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The subjects include physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and junior science. The Olympiad programmes in physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy (junior and senior level) and junior science are a five stage process for each subject separately. The first stage for each subject is organized by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). All the remaining stages are organized by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).
- Mathematics
The Mathematics Olympiad Programme in India leading to participation in the International Mathematics Olympiad is organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) on behalf of the National Board of Higher Mathematics (NBHM) of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Stages
Stage 1: Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO)
For the purpose of RMO, 23 regions over the whole country have been identified, and each assigned a Regional Coordinator. Additonally, three groups (CBSE, NVS and KVS) also have a 'Regional Coordinator' each. All school students of Class XI and Class XII are eligible to appear for RMO. The Regional Coordinators may on their discretion admit exceptionally brilliant students of lower classes also. RMO is a 3-hour written test containing about 6 to 7 problems. On the basis of RMO, a certain number from each region is selected to appear for the Stage 2 examination. (The selected students from each region may include a maximum of 6 students of Class XII.) Regional Co-ordinators may charge some nominal fees to meet the expenses for organising the contests.
Stage 2 : Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO)
Only students selected on the basis of RMO from different regions are eligible to appear for INMO. INMO is a 4-hour written test. The question paper is set centrally and is common throughout the country. On the basis of INMO, the top 30-35 students from all over the country become INMO awardees and receive a Certificate of Merit. (A maximum 6 students of Class XII may be INMO awardees.)
Stage 3: International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC)
The INMO awardees are invited to a month long Training Camp held in April-May each year at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai. INMO awardees of the previous year who have satisfactorily gone through postal tuition throughout the year are invited again to a second round of training (Senior Batch). The senior batch participants who successfully complete the Camp receive a prize of Rs.5,000/- in the form of books and cash.
On the basis of a number of selection tests through the Camp, a team of the best six students is selected from the combined pool of junior and senior batch participants.
Stage 4: Pre-departure Training Camp for IMO
The selected team of six students goes through another round of training and orientation for about 10 days prior to the departure for IMO.
Stage 5: International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
The six-member team selected at the end of the Camp accompanied by a leader and a deputy leader represent the country at the IMO, held in July each year in a different member country of IMO. IMO consists of two 4 and 1/2-hour written tests held on two days. Travel to IMO venue and return takes about 2 weeks. India has been participating in IMO since 1989. Students of the Indian team who receive gold, silver and bronze medals at the IMO receive a cash prize of Rs.5000/-, Rs.4000/- and Rs.3000/- respectively during the following year at a formal ceremony at the end of the Training Camp.
Ministry of Human Resource Developement (MHRD) finances international travel of the 8-member Indian delegation, while NBHM (DAE) finances the entire in-country programme and other expenditure connected with international participation.
For the list of RMO Coordinators visit: http://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/enrollment /list-of-rmo-coordinators
Contact Addresses for general inquiries about Mathematics Olympiad Programme:
Prof H. C. Pradhan
Centre Director,
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (TIFR)
V. N. Purav Marg, Mumbai - 400 088.
Phone: 022-25562132, 25580036
Fax: 022-25585660, 25566803
Email: hcp@hbcse.tifr.res.in
Member Secretary
Department of Atomic Energy
Anushakti Bhavan, CSM Marg
Mumbai 400 001.
Phone: 022-22022533 (O)
Fax: 022-22028972
Email: msnbhm@dae.gov.in
Syllabus
The syllabus for mathematics olympiad (regional, national and international) is pre-degree college mathematics. The areas covered are arithmetic of integers, geometry, quadratic equations and expressions, trigonometry, co-ordinate geometry, systems of linear equations, permutations and combinations, factorisation of polynomials, inequalities, elementary combinatorics, probability theory and number theory, finite series and complex numbers and elementary graph theory. The syllabus does not include Calculus and Statistics. The major areas from which problems are given are number theory, geometry, algebra and combinatorics. The syllabus is in a sense spread over Class IX to Class XII levels, but the problems under each topic are of exceptionally high level in difficulty and sophistication. The difficulty level increases from RMO to INMO to IMO.
Top - Physics
The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is an annual event, which is held in the month of June - July every year. The country of the venue of IPhO varies from year to year. This activity has been conducted regularly for the past 37 years. However, India began to participate in the IPhO only in 1998.
The IPhO is a keenly contested examination in physics open to pre-university students of all countries in the world. It serves as a bench-mark for study of physics at pre-university level.
Stages
The physics Olympiad program follows the following 5 stages:
Stage I: National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP)
NSEP is the first stage of selection of students in the physics Olympiad Programme which is organised by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). Every student aspiring to go through successive stages of the programme must enroll for NSEP.
Eligibility:
Students who are in Class XII or lower are eligible. Age details will be notified during notification. Students who have passed Class XII are not eligible to enroll for NSEP.
Syllabus:
The syllabus for NSEP is broadly equivalent to the senior secondary level (Class XI and Class XII) of CBSE Physics. This is only a rough guideline, and there is no detailed syllabus given for NSEP.
Question Paper:
NSEP emphasizes comprehension of the subject, not rote memory. Its format is as follows:Part A (180 marks): 50 multiple choice questions consisting of: (A1) 40 questions, each with only one of
the four options correct (negative
marks for incorrect answers). Each of
these questions carries 3 marks.(A2) 10 questions, each with one or more
than one options correct. To get
credit, all correct option(s) and no
incorrect option(s) should be marked.
Each of these questions carries 6 marks.Part B (60 marks): 5 (or 6) questions which are problems or
short-answer type. All questions carry
equal marks.Language: English. (However, NSEP question papers
may be available in Hindi, and some
other regional languages provided there
are more than 300 students for
that language.Please check with IAPT.)
Qualifying for the Second Stage:
Based on performance in NSEP, the top 300 students in order of merit qualify to appear for the Second Stage of the Olympiad programme (INPhO). In case there is a tie at the last position, all students with the same marks qualify for the INPhO.
All students who qualify to appear for the INPhO get a certificate of merit from IAPT.
Stage II: Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO)
INPhO is organized by HBCSE at about 15 centres in the country.
Eligibility: Students selected from Stage I examination (NSEP) are eligible to appear for INPhO.
On the basis of performance in INPhO, the top 35 students in the merit list will be selected for Stage III: Orientation Cum Selection Camp (OCSC) in physics.
In the event, there is a tie at the last position, all students with the same marks at this last position will qualify for OCSC.
Stage III: Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC) in physics OCSC in physics will be organized by HBCSE.
The camps include several theoretical and experimental tests. Orientation is provided to students especially in experiments. The camps conclude with a valedictory function where distinguished scientists are invited to speak to the students.
The merit list of OCSC is prepared on the basis of the combined theoretical and experimental score aggregated over all the tests in the camp, with 60% weightage for theory and 40% weightage for experiment. Performance in previous stages (NSEP and INPhO) will not be a consideration for the merit list and awards of the OCSC.
The top 5 students in the OCSC physics merit list are declared to be special merit awardees. These special merit awardees are given Rs. 5,000/- each in the form of books and cash. In addition there are special prizes to recognize meritorious performance in theory and experiments.
The 5 special merit awardees in physics selected at the end of the OCSC constitute the 5 member student team for the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), provided they satisfy required criteria such as age limit, holding valid Indian passport, medical fitness, parental consent, etc.
Stage IV: Pre-departure Training Camp (PDT) for IPhO
The selected 5 member Indian team undergoes a rigorous training programme at HBCSE in theory and experiments. Special laboratories have been developed at HBCSE for the purpose of experimental training. Resource persons from HBCSE and different institutions across the country train the students.
Stage V: Participation in International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).
The 5 member student team, 2 teacher leaders and 1 scientific observer constitute the delegation to represent India at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).
The 41st IPhO will be held in Zagreb, Croatia from July 17 – 25, 2010.
Top - Chemistry
The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) has been conducted since 1968, and is a competition for students at the secondary and higher secondary school levels. The IChO boosts the level of chemistry education in the participating countries.
India started participating in this event from the year 1999 at the 31st IChO held at Bangkok, Thailand. India hosted the 33rd International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).
The chemistry Olympiad program follows the following 5 stages:
Stage I: National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC)
Question Paper:
Its format will be as follows:
The question paper will consist of 80 multiple choice questions, each with only one of the four options correct (negative marks for incorrect answers). Each question carries 3 marks. Total marks 240.- Stage II: Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO)
- Stage III: Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC) in chemistry,
- Stage IV: Pre-departure Training Camp (PDT) for IChO,
- Stage V: Participation in International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO).
The 42nd IChO will be held tentatively in Tokyo, Japan in July 19-28, 2010.
Top - Biolog
The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) started in 1990. It is an annual event open to pre-university students. India started participating in IBO from the year 2000. India hosted the 19th IBO in July 2008 in Mumbai.
The biology Olympiad program follows the following 5 stages:- Stage I: National Standard Examination in Biology (NSEB)
Question Paper:
Its format will be as follows:
The question paper will consist of 80 multiple choice questions, each with only one of the four options correct (negative marks for incorrect answers). Each question carries 3 marks. Total marks 240. - Stage II: Indian National Biology Olympiad (INBO),
- Stage III: Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC) in biology,
- Stage IV: Pre-departure Training Camp (PDT) for IBO,
- Stage V: Participation in International Biology Olympiad (IBO).
Top - Stage I: National Standard Examination in Biology (NSEB)
- Astronomy
The National Astronomy Olympiad Program is designed to encourage students with good foundations in Physics and Mathematics and an interest in Astronomy to pursue further studies in this field. It involves a five stage process leading to participation of Indian teams in International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO). From the year 2007, India has been participating in International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) also.
Stages
The Astronomy Olympiad Program is carried out at two levels: Junior and Senior. Junior group students will be eligible for IAO only and Senior group students will be eligible for IOAA only.
The astronomy Olympiad program follows the following 5 stages:- Stage I: National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA).
It is held at two levels: Junior and Senior.
Eligibility: Students who are in Class X or lower are eligible to appear for NSEA (Jr.) and students who are in Class XII or lower are eligible to appear for NSEA (Sr.). Age details will be notified during notification.
Syllabus:
The syllabus for NSEA (Junior level) is broadly equivalent to the secondary school level (upto Class X) of CBSE.
The syllabus for NSEA (Senior level) is broadly equivalent to the senior secondary level (upto Class XII) of CBSE.
There will be greater emphasis on physics and mathematics (calculus not expected) and elementary astronomy.
Question Paper:
NSEA emphasizes comprehension of the subject, not rote memory. Its format will be as follows:Examination Multiple choice questions consisting of: (A1) 30 questions with only one of the four options
correct (negative marks for incorrect answers).
Each question carries 3 marks.(A2) 10 questions, each with one or more than one
options correct. To get credit, all correct option
(s) and no incorrect option(s) should be marked.
Each question carries 6 marks.Language English - Stage II: Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO)
All the details regarding the exam are similar to physics.
The number of students to be selected for OCSC Astronomy Junior (2010) will be 20 and that for OCSC Astronomy Senior (2010) will be 35. In the event, there is a tie at the last position, all students with the same marks at the last position will qualify for OCSC at the respective level. - Stage III: Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC) in astronomy The merit list of OCSC in astronomy is prepared on the basis of the aggregated test scores over all the tests in the camp, with 50% weightage for theoretical tests, 30% weightage for data analysis test and 20% weightage for observational tests. Performance in previous stages (NSEA and INAO) will not be a consideration for the merit list and awards of the OCSC astronomy.
The top 3 in the OCSC astronomy junior merit list will be special merit awardees and will be members of the Indian team for IAO Junior.
The top 5 in the OCSC astronomy senior merit list will be special merit awardees and will be members of the Indian team for IOAA. - Stage IV: Pre-departure Training Camp (PDT) for IAO and IOAA,
- Stage V: Participation in International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) and International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA).
The 2 leaders and 1 observer (if any) for IAO and 2 leaders and 1 observer (if any) for IOAA will accompany the Indian teams for IAO and IOAA respectively.
The 4th IOAA will be held in Beijing, China tentatively from September 10 - 20, 2010. The date and venue of IAO will be announced when confirmed.
Top - Stage I: National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA).
- Junior Science
Beginning the year 2008-2009, the National Olympiad Programme includes Junior Science also.
The Junior Science Olympiad program will follow the following 5 stages:
Syllabus:
The syllabus for NSEJS will be broadly equivalent to the secondary school level (upto Class X) of CBSE. The different basic subjects of science (physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics) will have roughly equal emphasis.
Eligibility: Students who are in Class X or lower are eligible to appear for NSJS. Age details will be notified during notification.
Question Paper:
Its format will be as follows:
| Examination | Multiple choice questions consisting of: | |
| (A1) | 30 questions with only one of the four options correct (negative marks for incorrect answers). Each question carries 3 marks. | |
| (A2) | 10 questions, each with one or more than one options correct. To get credit, all correct option (s) and no incorrect option(s) should be marked. Each question carries 6 marks. | |
| Language | English |
The top 6 in the OCSC Junior Science merit list will be declared to be special merit awardees. These special merit awardees will be given Rs. 5,000 each in the form of books and cash. In addition, there will be special prizes to recognize meritorious performance in theory and experiments.
The tentative venue of IJSO 2010 (7th IJSO) will be Nigeria and the date is yet to be announced.
Enrollment for Science and Astronomy Olympiads Stage 1 National Standard Examinations (NSE) in physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy (junior and senior) and junior science: NSEP, NSEC, NSEB, NSEA (Jr. and Sr.) and NSEJS respectively.
NSEP, NSEC, NSEB, NSEA (Jr. and Sr.) and NSEJS is the first stage of the Olympiad Program in the respective subject.
To enroll for NSEs, find out whether your school/college is a registered centre from the principal and/or the head of department. (Each registered centre may be an examination centre for all the five subjects). If so, enroll your name by paying the required fees by the due date. Your school/college will give you all the necessary instructions pertaining to NSEs.
Exemption from Stage I (National Standard Examinations):
Candidates who have represented India in the International Olympiad (IPhO, IChO, IBO, IOAA, IAO and IJSO) in the previous year, need not appear for the first stage NSE examination in the respective subject. They may be allowed on request to the respective National Coordinator, to directly appear for the second stage Indian National Olympiad (INO) examination provided they satisfy other eligibility criteria such as age, pre-college status, etc. applicable for the respective Subjects.
If you have any queries about NSEs contact
Prof. M. L. Oglapurkar
Co-ordinator (NSEP)
IAPT Office, I.I.E. Campus,
128/2, J. P. Naik Marg, Kothrud, Pune - 411 038.
Tel : (Off.) 020 - 25420163.
(9:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
Email: iapt .AT. vsnl.net
OR
Prof. R.M.Dharkar
Chief Co-ordinator (IAPT Examinations)
Email: rmdharkar .AT. gmail.com
For details visit: http://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/