Beyond the syllabus · Contests

Olympiads and contests: the official ones, with dates

Contests build confidence and a record colleges notice. These are the official olympiads and free government competitions for 2026-27, with who can enter and when.

By Anuj Arora · Last verified: 10 Nov 2026

How the official olympiads work Stage 1 (Sep–Nov): IOQM (maths, Sep), NSEP · NSEC · NSEB, NSEA · NSEJS, ZIO (computing). Stage 2 (Nov–Feb): RMO → INMO, INPhO · INChO, INBO · INAO, INOI. Then: Training camp, Team selection, International olympiad, Medals for India. Stage 1 (Sep–Nov) IOQM (maths, Sep) NSEP · NSEC · NSEB NSEA · NSEJS ZIO (computing) Stage 2 (Nov–Feb) RMO → INMO INPhO · INChO INBO · INAO INOI Then Training camp Team selection International olympiad Medals for India
The official olympiad route: a small entry fee (₹300 for each NSE), no coaching needed, and the only path to represent India at the international olympiads.

Official olympiads, 2026-27

Run by HBCSE (TIFR), the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, the Mathematics Teachers' Association and IARCS. Stage 1 is held at schools and centres across India.

OlympiadWho can take it2026-27 datesRun by
IOQM → RMO → INMO (maths)Class 8–12IOQM held 6 Sep 2026 · RMO 15 Nov 2026 · INMO 17 Jan 2027olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
NSEP, NSEC, NSEB (physics, chemistry, biology)Class 12 or below22 Nov 2026 · enrolment closed 14 Sep · ₹300 per subjectolympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in · IAPT
NSEA (astronomy)Class 12 or below21 Nov 2026IAPT
NSEJS (junior science)Class 8–1022 Nov 2026 · ₹300 · leads to IJSOIAPT
Indian National Olympiads (stage 2)Stage 1 qualifiersINAO, INChO 30 Jan 2027 · INPhO, INBO 31 Jan 2027olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
ZIO → INOI → IOI (computing)Class 1–12ZIO 21 Nov 2026 (registration closed 6 Nov) · INOI Feb 2027IARCS

Official olympiad or a company test?

Many private companies sell tests called "olympiads". They can be good practice, but they are not the official route to the international olympiads. The official ones are in the table above.

Government and society competitions

CompetitionWhoWhat it isWhenWhere
INSPIRE-MANAKClass 6–12; your school sends your ideaOriginal science or technology idea; selected students get funds to build a model, then district, state and national exhibitionsNominations 15 Jul – 15 Sep each year (closed for 2026)inspireawards-dst.gov.in
National Children's Science CongressAge 10–17, teams of two with a guide teacherResearch project on a local problem; 2026-27 theme: Science and Innovation for SustainabilityDistrict, state, then national roundsYour state's science council
NMMS examClass 8, government or aided schoolState exam that leads to the ₹12,000-a-year NMMS scholarshipUsually Nov–Dec, run by your stateState education department
Smart India HackathonCollege students, teams of six with mentorsSolve real problems set by ministries and companies; cash prizesInternal hackathons, then national finalesih.gov.in
MyGov contestsAll agesQuizzes, essays, design and video contests from ministries, often with prizesOpen all yearmygov.in

How to start

  • Class 6–8: ask your science teacher about INSPIRE-MANAK and the Children's Science Congress.
  • Class 8–10: NMMS if you study in a government school; NSEJS and IOQM if you enjoy problem-solving.
  • Class 11–12: NSEs and IOQM. Their syllabus overlaps with JEE and NEET; see the JEE and NEET guides.
  • College: Smart India Hackathon builds a portfolio employers notice.

NTSE has been on hold since 2022. For all exam dates, see the exam calendar.

Know a contest we should add?

Tell us. We list free and official competitions only, after checking the organiser.

Suggest a contestScholarships

Sources

  1. Science Olympiad 2026-27 schedule (HBCSE)
  2. Mathematical Olympiad 2026-27: RMO and INMO dates (HBCSE)
  3. IOQM 2026 on 6 September 2026 (Cracku)
  4. NSEJS 2026-27 (Careers360)
  5. ZIO 2026-27 (Careers360)
  6. INSPIRE-MANAK 2026-27 nominations (DST)
  7. National Children's Science Congress 2026 (GUJCOST)
  8. Smart India Hackathon 2026 (Internshala)