India wins 12 gold medals at global science and mathematics Olympiads
Historic clean sweeps in physics and chemistry underscore the country's expanding talent pipeline, backed by nearly four decades of structured mentoring and scientific training.
The achievement included historic clean sweeps at both the International Physics Olympiad and the International Chemistry Olympiad, where Indian students won all available gold medals to finish joint world number one in both competitions.
NEW DELHI: India delivered one of its best-ever performances at the International Science and Mathematics Olympiads 2026, winning 12 gold and seven silver medals across physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) announced on Wednesday.
The achievement included historic clean sweeps at both the International Physics Olympiad and the International Chemistry Olympiad, where Indian students won all available gold medals to finish joint world number one in both competitions.
At the International Biology Olympiad, the Indian team secured one gold and three silver medals, while the International Mathematical Olympiad saw the country win two gold and four silver medals.
The department said the outstanding performance reflects the strength of India’s National Olympiad Programme, led by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a national centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), with sustained institutional support from the DAE for nearly four decades.
Congratulating the medal winners, DAE secretary and Atomic Energy Commission chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty said the achievements were a matter of immense national pride and reflected the dedication of students, mentors and teachers, supported by a strong institutional ecosystem built over several decades.
The National Olympiad Programme follows a rigorous multi-stage process of identifying talented students, providing advanced training, mentoring and orientation before selecting teams to represent India at international competitions. The HBCSE serves as the national nodal centre for science and mathematics Olympiad programmes.
HBCSE director Arnab Bhattacharya acknowledged the DAE’s long-standing support in building the programme and said the results reaffirm the centre’s mission of identifying, nurturing and inspiring young scientific talent while promoting excellence in science and mathematics across the country.
According to the department, its contribution extends beyond financial support by creating a nationwide ecosystem involving scientists, teachers, academic institutions and subject experts working together to develop India’s brightest young minds. Many former Olympiad participants have gone on to excel in higher education, research, innovation and scientific leadership in India and abroad.
The DAE also acknowledged the support of the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Space and the Ministry of Education in strengthening the National Olympiad Programme.
The department said the 2026 results demonstrate the value of sustained investment in scientific education and talent development, reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a global knowledge economy driven by science, innovation and skilled human resources.
