Recently, the 64th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2023 held at Chiba, Japan (July 2-13, 2023). Here, the six-member Indian team secured 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.
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India’s rank is 9th out of 112 countries. Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai (HBCSE) is core organisation for participation in International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
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Which Olympiad Is Best Or Authentic At School Levels?
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In addition of HBCSE, SOF,Silverzone,Unified Council, ISTS etc are private companies which conduct olympiads at so called ‘national or international’ level. But only HBCSE is Govt. Body for Olympiad.
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The Science Olympiad programme is fully funded by the Government of India through the Board of Research in Nuclear Science, Department of Atomic Energy (BRNS, DAE), Department of Science and Technology(DST), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), and the Indian Space Research Organisation, Department of Space (ISRO, DoS).
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Here i have explained the authentic government-funded Olympiad Institute-HBCSE. Only they represent India at International Olympiads for different subjects.
Astronomy
Maths,
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Junior Science
The National Science Olympiad starts with an examination held at numerous schools across the country. Finally, it ends with the international Olympiads at different corners of the world.
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These exams are designed to assess conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, laboratory skills. It also checks the ability to apply problem-solving skills to novel situations, both theoretical and experimental.
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Training provisions were kept for only the third stage of the programme. The first two stages do not necessarily require any specialised coaching outside the regular school system.
Steps of HBCSE Olympiad
Stage 1:
The first stage examination, the National Standard Examination (NSE) is the organisational responsibility of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT).
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The academic responsibility for Chemistry and Biology rests with the Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT) and the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS) respectively.
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While Physics, Astronomy and Junior Science are handled by IAPT itself.
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The NSEs are tests with objective-type questions and are offered in English and Hindi, with additional languages also available in physics.
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The syllabus is broadly equivalent to up to Class XII (for Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Class X (for Junior Science) of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
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However, the questions in all levels of Olympiads (including NSEs) may be expected to be of a higher difficulty level than the board examinations.
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These examinations are held close to the end of November every year at numerous centres across the nation. Students can register for this preliminary stage at their own schools or directly online.
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Stage 2:
The best-performing students from the NSEs (approximately 300 in each subject) qualify for the second stage—the Indian National Olympiads (INOs).
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The responsibility of the programme from this stage onwards lies with HBCSE. The INOs are held in late January at around 18 centres across the country.
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The syllabus is the same as that of the NSEs. The tests consist of objective as well as long questions.
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Stage 3:
The top students from the INOs (approximately 35 in each subject) are invited for the third stage.The orientation-cum-selection camps (OCSCs) were held at HBCSE from April to June.
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At these camps, orientation is provided to students for the Olympiad level of theoretical, experimental, and observational (for astronomy) tasks.
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The emphasis is laid on developing conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills. Students are exposed to innovative experiments with a focus on conceptual and procedural understanding in experimental science.
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In astronomy, students are trained in basic notions in astrophysics, astronomical data analysis and night sky observations. Several theoretical and experimental/observational tests are held during the camp.
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On the basis of performance in these tests, a few students (numbers specified below) are selected to represent India at the international Olympiads.
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Stage 4:
The selected Indian teams undergo a rigorous training programme at HBCSE in theory and experiment, and in case of astronomy, observational astronomy, prior to their departure for the international Olympiads.
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Special laboratories have been developed in HBCSE for this purpose. Resource persons from different institutions across the country are invited to the training camps.
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Stage 5:
The Olympiad programme culminates with the participation of Indian students (4-6 in each subject) in the International Olympiads.
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The students are accompanied by 2-4 teachers or mentors. Almost every Indian student who has participated in the Science and Astronomy Olympiads has returned with a medal.
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ELIGIBILITY FOR HBCSE OLYPIAD
The class-wise eligibility for Olympiads conducted by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) varies depending on the specific Olympiad. Here’s a breakdown for the two most popular ones:
1. Mathematical Olympiad:
Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM): Open to students of classes 8 to 12.
Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO): Open to students who qualify in the IOQM and are in classes 9 to 12.
Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO): Open to students who qualify in the RMO and are in classes 11 and 12.
2. Science Olympiad:
National Science Olympiad (NSO): Open to students of classes 8 to 12. The syllabus and difficulty level progressively increase with class.
Additional points to remember:
There are some additional eligibility criteria that may apply, such as age restrictions, nationality requirements, and previous participation in specific stages of the Olympiad.
You can find the detailed eligibility criteria for each Olympiad on the HBCSE website: https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-participate/eligibility/
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, it’s always best to contact the HBCSE directly for clarification.
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International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO):
HBCSE is also a nodal centre for the Mathematical Olympiad. The details of selection to this Olympiad maybe found in a separate brochure and also on the HBCSE website: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
Announcement for the 2023-2024 cycle
In the 2023–2024 cycle, the selection to the International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC) will be accomplished in three stages.
First stage exam
Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)
The IOQM is being conducted by the Mathematics Teachers’ Association (India). More details about the IOQM will be announced in the first week of July 2023 on the MTA(I) website https://www.mtai.org.in/.
Date: September 3, 2023 Time: 10:00 to 13:00 hours (IST)Duration: 3 hours
Total marks: 100
The answer to each question is an integer in the range 00-99. No negative marking. OMR-based exam.
Composition of the paper: 10 questions of 2 marks each; 10 questions of 3 marks each; 10 questions of 5 marks each.
Second stage exam
Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO)
Date: October 29, 2023; Time: 13:00 to 16:00 hrs
Duration: 3 hours
Number of questions: 06
Each question requires writing detailed proof.
Third stage exam
Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO)
Number of questions: 06
Date: January 21, 2024; Time: 12:00 to 16:30 Hrs.Duration: 4.5 hours
Each question requires writing detailed proof.
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We mention below a few other recognized international Olympiads in science disciplines but participation in them is not directly organized by HBCSE.
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Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO):
Participation is organized by IAPT. Students aspiring for this Olympiad must normally appear in the first stage NSEP exam followed by the second stage INPhO exam. The details of further selection and training are decided by IAPT and you may consult their website (www.iapt.org.in).
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International Astronomy Olympiad – Junior (IAO – Junior):
Participation is organized by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM). Students aspiring for this Olympiad must normally appear in the first stage NSEJS exam. The details of further selection and training are decided by NCSM and you may consult their website (www.nehrusciencecentre.gov.in).
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International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO):
Participation is organized by the Geological Society of India and you may consult their website for more information (www.geosocindia.org).
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International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI):
Participation is organized by the Indian Association for Research in Computing Science and you may consult their website for more information (www.iarcs.org.in/inoi).
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For Preparation and Information of HBCSE
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Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/hbcse.tifr/
For Past papers or sample questions
Syllabus
Olympiad Books
Brochure maths Olympiad 2023-24
Science-Olympiad-Brochure-2023-24
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BOOKS FOR PREPARATION:
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2. Functional Equations
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7. Mathematical Olympiad Challenges
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REQUEST
Anybody who wants to add more information regarding these Olympiads , please share their knowledge with us which is very helpful for others.
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