Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO)
by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE)
Books, cash awards and olympiad medals
Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO) is a competition by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) for students in Grade 10 to 12, open to students across India. Registration closes 14 Sept 2026.
Mode
In-Person
Eligibility
Grade 10 to 12
Fee
₹300
Duration
Three-hour written examination at an allotted centre
Format
Individual
Time needed
Three hours on examination day, with preparation possible within the regular school system; HBCSE states the first two stages do not necessarily require specialised coaching
Key dates
- Registration opens
- 21 Aug 2026
- Registration closes
- 14 Sept 2026
Multiple Locations, Nationwide
About this opportunity
The Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO) is the second stage of India's national astronomy olympiad programme, conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education for students of Classes 10, 11 and 12 who qualify through the National Standard Examination in Astronomy.
Entry is only through Stage 1. Students enrol for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy with the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, and those who clear the published selection clauses are invited to sit INAO at one of about 18 centres across the country. The paper runs for three hours and carries 100 marks, with descriptive problems in physics, mathematics, elementary astronomy and astronomical data analysis. Registration on the HBCSE olympiads website is compulsory before the examination.
Every candidate whose score reaches the camp cut-off receives a Certificate of Merit. Top-ranked students, taken separately from the Class 12 group and the Class 10 and 11 group, are called to the Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp in astronomy at HBCSE, where they train in astrophysics, astronomical data analysis and night sky observation. All camp attendees receive gold medals.
The camp selects five students to represent India at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, and those students also receive merit awards in books and cash. Special prizes recognise the best theoretical and observational performances at the camp. The programme is funded by the Government of India and overseen by a National Steering Committee.
Eligibility
- Grade level
- Grade 10 to 12
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Must be studying in Class 10, 11 or 12 at the time of Stage 1 enrolment, must not have completed the Class 12 board examination before the cut-off date published for the cycle, and must not have commenced or be planning to commence studies at a university or equivalent institution.
Prerequisites
- Qualification in the National Standard Examination in Astronomy
- Physics and mathematics up to senior secondary level
- Basic familiarity with popular astronomy and night sky observation
Open to Indian citizens studying in Class 10, 11 or 12 who first qualify through the National Standard Examination in Astronomy. Each cycle sets a five-year date-of-birth window; for the 2026-27 cycle it runs from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2012, an age band of roughly 14 to 19 years. Candidates must be residing and studying in India, or studying in an Indian school system, and must not have begun university studies.
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Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
Physics and mathematics broadly equivalent to the senior secondary level of CBSE, together with elementary astronomical notions covering the solar system, diurnal motion, lunar phases, seasons, eclipses and tides, the structure of the universe, familiarity with the night sky, telescope principles and landmarks in the history of astronomy.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Cash merit award at the selection camp
Students selected at the Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp to represent India receive merit awards in the form of books and cash. The amounts are not published.
Prizes
Books, cash awards and olympiad medals
Gold medals are awarded to all students attending the astronomy Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp. Students selected for the Indian team receive merit awards in books and cash, and special prizes recognise meritorious performance in theory and experiments. Indian students have gone on to win gold, silver and bronze medals at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Certificate
Certificate of Merit
Every student whose INAO score equals or exceeds the score of the last student selected for the Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp receives a Certificate of Merit, whether or not a camp place is taken up.
Recognition
Place in India's IOAA team
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- Night sky observation training at the selection camp
- Gold medals for every student attending the selection camp
- Travel and stay allowance for candidates appearing at the examination
- Separate merit lists for Class 12 and for Classes 10 and 11
Exam format
- Total marks
- 100
- Duration
- 180 minutes
- Format
- Descriptive problems with marked sub-questions, including an astronomical data-analysis task
- Language
- English, Hindi
Rounds & format
INAO is a single written round. Candidates who clear the Stage 1 selection clauses register on the HBCSE olympiads website, download an admit card and sit a three-hour paper at an allotted centre. Answer scripts are evaluated centrally by HBCSE, scores and performance cards are released on the HBCSE national olympiad portal, and the list of students called to the Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp is published on the same portal.
How entries are judged
Marks are indicated against each sub-question and the paper carries 100 marks in total. The stated evaluation principle is that the process of arriving at the solution matters as much as the final answer, and valid assumptions and approximations are accepted, so reasoning must be written out explicitly. Candidates are ranked by total score, computed separately for the Class 12 group and the Class 10 and 11 group.
Selection process
Entry to INAO is governed by the published Stage 1 clauses: a Minimum Admissible Score set at 50 percent of the average of the top ten scores in the subject, automatic qualification at the Merit Index of 80 percent of that average, a state and union territory quota, a minimum total target per group, and a supernumerary quota ensuring female students form at least 15 percent of those selected. Selection for the Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp is solely on the order of merit in INAO, taken separately for the Class 12 group and the Class 10 and 11 group.
How to apply
- 1Enrol for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy through a registered centre or directly on the IAPT website
- 2Appear for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy
- 3Check the qualifier list published on the IAPT website
- 4Register on the HBCSE olympiads website to obtain the INAO admit card
- 5Appear for INAO at the allotted centre with valid proof of date of birth
Fees & financial support
Fee details
The charge is the Stage 1 National Standard Examination in Astronomy enrolment fee, collected by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers in cash at a registered examination centre or by bank transfer for direct enrolment. The organisers state there are no other fees for the national olympiad examinations or the selection camp, so nothing further is payable for INAO itself. Candidates appearing for INAO are additionally paid a travel allowance, and outstation candidates a lodging and boarding allowance.
Refund policy
The Stage 1 enrolment fee is not refundable, including where a candidate is later found not to satisfy the eligibility norms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO)?
The registration deadline is 14 Sept 2026.
Is Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO) free?
No. The registration fee is ₹300.
Who can participate in Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO)?
Students in Grade 10 to 12.
What will my child gain from Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO)?
Certificate of Merit for scoring at or above the camp cut-off. Selection camp at HBCSE with astrophysics and sky observation training. Gold medal for every student attending the camp. Five places in India's team for the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics. Travel and stay allowance for candidates appearing at the examination.
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