Indian students delivered an exceptional performance at the International Science and Mathematics Olympiads 2026, winning a total of 12 Gold and 7 Silver medals across four international competitions. The achievement represents one of India's finest-ever performances at these prestigious global events, with historic all-Gold sweeps in both the International Physics Olympiad and International Chemistry Olympiad where India achieved joint world No. 1 rankings.
The detailed medal breakdown shows that at the International Physics Olympiad held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, the Indian team won all 5 Gold medals. At the International Chemistry Olympiad in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the team won all 4 Gold medals. The International Biology Olympiad in Vilnius, Lithuania yielded 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals, while the International Mathematical Olympiad in Shanghai, China produced 2 Gold and 4 Silver medals.
The success is attributed to the National Olympiad Programme in sciences and mathematics spearheaded by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), which operates as a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), an aided institution under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). For nearly four decades, DAE has provided the institutional foundation for identifying, mentoring and preparing India's brightest young minds through a rigorous multi-stage process of talent identification, orientation, advanced training and mentoring for pre-university students.
Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, congratulated the students on their exceptional accomplishments, noting that these achievements reflect the dedication of students, guidance of mentors and teachers, and the strength of the institutional ecosystem built over decades. Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya, Centre Director of HBCSE, acknowledged the Department of Atomic Energy's invaluable support and long-standing commitment to nurturing scientific talent in the country.
The Department of Atomic Energy's contribution extends beyond sponsorship, creating a national ecosystem that brings together scientists, teachers, academic institutions and subject experts from across India. The programme also receives support from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Space, and the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The achievements demonstrate the transformative impact of sustained investment in scientific education and talent development as India advances toward becoming a global knowledge economy.