DAE-Nurtured Olympiad Achievers Honored at 80th Independence Day
Indian students who excelled at the International Science and Mathematical Olympiads 2026 were honored as Special Guests at the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi. The young achievers witnessed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hoist the National Flag and address the nation from the ramparts of the historic monument.
India's performance at the 2026 International Olympiads was exceptional, with students winning 12 Gold and 7 Silver Medals across Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics disciplines. This recognition celebrates India's Yuva Shakti (youth power) and their contribution to the nation's journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047, particularly during the year marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.
The achievement reflects the strength of India's National Olympiad Programme, spearheaded by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), which is an aided institution under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). HBCSE follows a rigorous multi-stage process of selection, orientation, training, and mentoring for Olympiad participants.
The Department of Atomic Energy has been instrumental in supporting this national effort through its backing of TIFR and HBCSE, helping build an ecosystem that brings together scientists, teachers, academic institutions, and subject experts from across the country in a shared mission of nurturing scientific talent.
During their visit to New Delhi, the Olympiad achievers participated in a series of engagements, including interactions with Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon'ble Minister of State in the PMO and Department of Atomic Energy, and Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary to Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy & Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. Dr. Mohanty expressed immense pride in the students' accomplishments and reaffirmed DAE's commitment to strengthening the ecosystem that supports young scientific talent.
The students also visited sites of national significance, including the National War Memorial and the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, as part of their itinerary in the capital city.