Competitions for Indian Students!

This blog features a compilation of the top 10 most prestigious competitions held in India, catering specifically to students.

Before we start, Rishab Jain, a Harvard student who has achieved success in numerous international competitions has made his FREE Student STEM guide public with a a list of 50+ more opportunities and competitions.

You should definitely check it out after this post.

Indian National Olympiad (INO) The Indian National Olympiad (INO), organized by the Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE), serves as the second stage of qualification for the International Science Olympiad.

This prestigious competition encompasses various science subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Junior Science.

Eligible participants are students who have successfully qualified for the National Standard Examination (NSE).

Eligibility: Indian Citizenship: Participants must be Indian citizens.

NSE Qualification: Applicants should have appeared in any of the following NSE exams: NSEA, NSEP, NSEB, or NSEC.

Minimum Admissible Score (MAS): Students scoring equal to or greater than the MAS are eligible to participate in the INO.

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), a flagship initiative by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), commenced in 196

3. This prestigious national-level scholarship program aims to identify and nurture exceptionally talented students.

The NTSE serves as a platform for recognizing the nation’s brightest minds, and it focuses on students currently studying in Class X.

The selection process involves two stages: the State level and the National level.

Eligibility: Class X Students: Only students studying in Class X are eligible to appear for the NTSE selection process.

Minimum Marks: Aspiring candidates must have scored at least 60% marks in their Class 9 examinations.

State Level Qualification: Students who have qualified in the State Level Talent Search Examination are eligible to take the NTSE Stage II examination conducted by the NCERT.

Indian Space Science Olympiad (ISSO) The Indian Space Science Olympiad (ISSO) is a nationwide quiz competition that celebrates India’s achievements in Astronomy and Space Science.

Designed for school students residing in India, ISSO provides a unique platform for young minds to explore the wonders of the cosmos.

Participants delve into topics related to space exploration, celestial bodies, and cutting-edge technology.

Eligibility: Residency: Indian students currently residing in India are eligible to participate in the ISSO.

NSE Qualification: Aspiring participants must have appeared for any of the following National Standard Examinations: NSEA, NSEP, NSEB, or NSEC.

IRIS National Fair: Paving the Path to ISEF for Indian Students PlayHow To Make a Science Fair Poster Board: An ISEF Winner's Guide The Annual IRIS National Fair is a remarkable platform that ignites scientific curiosity and innovation among young Indian minds.

Supported by Broadcom and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), this public-private partnership program aims to recognize and reward outstanding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects.

Eligibility: Age: Participants must be between the ages of 11 and 1

8. Projects: Students can submit individual or team research projects in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or related areas.

Recognition: Outstanding projects are recognized and rewarded at the IRIS National Fair.

International Stage: Winners of the IRIS National Fair represent India at the renowned Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in the USA.

Blueprint to win ISEF.

Indian Cricket Quiz Indian Cricket Quiz is a national-level online inter-school competition designed to achieve the goals outlined in the National Education Policy 202

0. Open to students aged 6 to 17 from all schools in India, this fun and short quiz consists of 15 multiple-choice questions related to Indian cricket.

Participants have 10 minutes to answer the questions.

There is no registration or participation fee, and children can take unlimited attempts to improve their knowledge.

Techfest IIT Bombay Techfest IIT Bombay is one of the largest science and technology festivals in Asia.

Hosted annually by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, it brings together students, professionals, and enthusiasts from various disciplines.

The event features a plethora of workshops, exhibitions, competitions, and lectures, covering topics such as robotics, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and more.

Participants engage in hands-on experiences, learn from experts, and showcase their innovations.

Eligibility Criteria: Open to All: Techfest welcomes participants from all backgrounds, including students, professionals, and hobbyists.

No Age Limit: There is no age restriction, making it accessible to anyone passionate about science and technology.

Global Participation: Techfest encourages international participation, making it a melting pot of ideas and innovation.

KIIT National Mathematics Olympiad  The KIIT National Mathematics Olympiad (KIIT NMO) stands as a shining example of academic prowess, surpassing traditional evaluations.

It sparks a fervor for mathematical logic, cultivating individuals capable of confronting intricate obstacles.

Open to students in grades 9 through 12, it promotes a profound grasp of mathematics beyond mere memorization, stimulates analytical thought, and fosters a sense of community among contenders.

Eligibility: All students studying in classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 are eligible to participate in KIIT NMO.

The syllabus for KIIT NMO strictly adheres to the curriculum prescribed by the NCERT for respective classes.

Ramanujan National Maths Challenge  The Ramanujan National Maths Challenge is a prestigious competition that celebrates mathematical brilliance and problem-solving acumen.

It transcends conventional assessments, encouraging participants to delve into the realms of mathematical exploration.

Eligibility: Students in classes 6 to 12 are eligible to participate.

The syllabus aligns with the curriculum prescribed by the NCERT for respective classes.

List of STEM Research and Internships.

List of competitions for high school students.

Mathematics competitions for students worldwide.

Biology competitions.

Psychology competitions.

Medical competitions.

National Social Studies Olympiad (NSSO) The National Social Studies Olympiad (NSSO), conducted by Indian Talent Olympiad, assesses students’ knowledge in History, Geography, and Civics.

I Eligibility: Open to Students: NSSO is open to students from Class 1 to Class 10 across various boards, including State board, CBSE, ICSE, and International boards.

Online Registration: Parents can register their children online through Indian Talent Olympiad.

Teachers can also register interested students.

India Spelling Bee India Spelling Bee is conceived and developed by an organization that believes that Educational Contests should not only be competitive but also add value to the students.

They can play an important role in the educational process in our society.

India Spelling Bee is an educational organization that encourages youth, parents, teachers and the community at large to participate in the education process.

Eligibility: Grade Range: Students from grade 1 to 9 can participate.

Start Up Conclave Competition The Startup Conclave 2023, hosted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, aimed to showcase India’s dynamic startup landscape and promote innovation and cooperation nationwide.

This premier gathering united policymakers, investors, and industry leaders, featuring distinguished keynotes and expert speakers who shared invaluable insights.

Eligibility: The Startup Conclave welcomes applications from startups possessing either a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a market-ready product, broadening the program's accessibility to a diverse range of entrepreneurial ventures.

Through facilitating meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities, the Conclave underscored the significance of corporate governance in fostering a robust and ethical startup ecosystem, promoting sustainability and responsibility among emerging enterprises.

Indian Computing Olympiad The Indian Computing Olympiad, organized annually by IARCS, is a prestigious nationwide competition.

Its primary objective is to recognize exceptional algorithmic and computer programming abilities among school students.

Participants tackle challenging problems, demonstrating their prowess in problem-solving and computational thinking.

Eligibility: The Indian Computing Olympiad (ICO) extends its invitation to all school students nationwide, irrespective of their school board affiliation, allowing for broad participation across the country's educational landscape.

Eligibility for ICO during the academic year 2023-2024 is open to any student registered in school up to class 12, without any lower age limit, ensuring inclusivity and access to students at various stages of their educational journey.

However, participation in ICO mandates current enrollment in school; once a student completes Class 12, regardless of circumstances such as breaks or exam retakes for improvement, they are deemed ineligible, emphasizing the importance of active school enrollment for participation.

Resources for STEM Competitions Rishab Jain, who won at ISEF, 3M Young Scientists Challenge, JSHS and more, has achieved success in numerous research competitions and undertaken several research projects during his high school years.

His FREE Student STEM guide has a list of 50+ opportunities, internships and competitions.