ITO International Maths Olympiad (IMO) Offline
by Indian Talent Olympiad (ITO)
₹1,00,000 Cash Prize
1,00,00,000 participants
The IMO by Indian Talent Olympiad is an offline national-level competition for students in Classes 1-10, designed to significantly enhance mathematical skills, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
₹150
Participation format
Individual
Duration
65 minutes
Time needed
65-minute exam at school; Round 2 for qualifiers
Eligibility
Students from Class 1 to Class 10 studying in any recognized school across India (including CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards) are eligible to participate. There are no strict eligibility rules beyond current school enrollment, making it accessible to a wide student base. The age range for eligible students is typically 6 to 18 years old, aligning with the respective class levels.
- Grade level
- Grade 1 to 10
- Age range
- 6 to 15 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Must be enrolled in a recognized school in India (CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards).
- Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of mathematics concepts as per their current school curriculum.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹1,00,000 Cash Prize
National Rank 1 winners (8 students) receive a cash prize of ₹1,00,000. National Rank 2 winners (10 students) receive ₹40,000. National Rank 3 winners (10 students) receive ₹20,000. National Rank 4 winners (100 students) receive ₹6,000. Additionally, state-level rank holders (1-10) receive a scholarship of ₹4,000.
Prizes
Laptops, Tablets & Medals
National Rank 3 winners are awarded a Laptop, and National Rank 4 winners receive a Tablet. State-level winners (Ranks 1-10) receive a Gold Medal. Class toppers are awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals based on their rank.
Certificate
Certificate for All Participants
All participants receive a participation certificate. Special Recognition Certificates with rank details and Student Report Booklets are provided to all students. Merit certificates are awarded to state-level rank holders. These certificates are valuable for building a strong academic profile for higher education and university admissions.
Opens doors to
Achievements and certificates from the IMO are widely recognized and can provide a significant advantage in applications to premier higher education institutions in India, including IITs and NITs, by demonstrating strong analytical abilities beyond the school curriculum.
Career pathways
Participation in the IMO builds a strong foundation in mathematics and logical reasoning, which is essential for high-demand careers in STEM fields like engineering, data science, finance, and research.
Recognition
National Level Recognition
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration opened
- 1 Jun 2026
- Registration closed
- 31 Aug 2026
- Competition
- 17 Nov 2026 to 22 Nov 2026
- Results
- 15 Mar 2027
Round 2 Exam Start
The second round of the examination is typically conducted in the first week of February.
Round 2 Exam End
The second round of the examination is typically conducted in the first week of February.
How to apply
- 1Schools can register their students by filling out the registration form, sending the final student list, and submitting the exam fees via Demand Draft (DD) to the Indian Talent Olympiad office. Schools can also register and pay online through the official website.
- 2A minimum of 40 students per school is generally required for school registrations for offline exams.
- 3Individual student registration for offline exams is not typically promoted; students usually register through their schools. However, individual online registration is available for online monthly tests.
- 4The last date for school registrations for Round 1 is September 15, 2025. Individual students can register for online exams by October 31, 2025.
- 5Schools can transfer the consolidated amount collected from students using NEFT/RTGS/CASH DEPOSIT and update transaction details in the Registration Form, then send it along with the Student List to the ITO office.
Rules and guidelines
- All questions are multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- The exam is conducted in the student's respective school.
- For class-wise top three medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze), the student count must be 10 or more per class per subject.
- A Gold Medal is awarded if the student count is between 5 and 9 per class per subject.
- The exam is conducted in the student's respective school for offline mode.
- In case of a tie in marks, priority is given to marks scored in specific sections (Everyday Mathematics, Mathematical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning) and then time taken to complete the exam. Negative marking (0.25) may be used as a tie-breaker.
- Students who qualify for the 2nd round need to pay an additional registration fee of ₹100 (for school registered students) or ₹120 (for individually registered students).
Technology requirements
- For offline exams, no specific technology is required by the student beyond standard writing materials.
- Schools are responsible for providing the examination environment, including question papers and OMR answer sheets.
Fees and financial support
Fee details
The participation fee for school registrations is ₹150 per student per subject. This includes ₹25 retained by the school for organizing expenses and ₹125 sent to Indian Talent Olympiad. For individual online registrations (for monthly tests), the fee is ₹240. Students qualifying for the 2nd round need to pay an additional registration fee of ₹100 (for school registered students) or ₹120 (for individually registered students). Hidden costs may include travel to the school for the exam if not regularly attending, and costs for optional preparation materials like Olympiad books and workbooks.
Financial support
Scholarships are awarded to state-level rank holders (Rank 1-10), with a scholarship amount of ₹4,000 for IMO winners (for 200 students). National-level winners also receive significant cash prizes (up to ₹1,00,000), which can be considered a form of scholarship. The scholarship is awarded based on performance in the IMO exam.
Refund policy
Specific refund policy details are not explicitly stated for competition fees once registration is complete. It is generally understood that competition fees are non-refundable. It is advisable for parents and schools to check the official Indian Talent Olympiad website or contact their support for detailed refund policies before registration.
About this opportunity
The International Maths Olympiad (IMO), conducted by Indian Talent Olympiad (ITO), is a highly regarded national-level competition for students in Classes 1 to 10 across India. This offline examination aims to identify and nurture mathematical talent, fostering a deeper understanding of core concepts and significantly improving problem-solving skills.
The IMO syllabus is meticulously aligned with the school curriculum, covering topics from CBSE, ICSE, and various State Boards, with additional challenging questions to test higher-order thinking and analytical abilities. The exam is structured with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to assess students' analytical and logical reasoning.
Participating in the IMO provides a valuable platform for students to benchmark their mathematical proficiency at a national level and gain significant recognition for their achievements. It encourages students to develop a strong foundation in mathematics, which is crucial for academic excellence and success in future competitive exams like JEE and NEET. The competition is primarily conducted in participating schools, ensuring accessibility to a wide range of students across the country.
ITO has gained participation from over 35,874 schools nationwide and earned the trust of more than 1 Crore parents, with the support of over 7 lakh teachers since its establishment in 2012. The exam is a two-level process, with qualifying students from Round 1 advancing to Round 2. This structure ensures a comprehensive evaluation of mathematical aptitude and provides a challenging yet rewarding experience for young mathematicians.
Exam format
- Total marks
- 50
- Duration
- 65 minutes
- Format
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Language
- English
Rounds and format
Round 1: The initial exam conducted in schools, typically from November 17 to 22, 2025. Round 2: Students who qualify in Round 1 (top 20% or class toppers with minimum 50% marks and 10 students per class) are eligible for Round 2. The 2nd round exam is typically conducted in the first week of February.
How entries are judged
Ranks are based on marks obtained. In case of a tie, priority is given to marks scored in specific sections (Everyday Mathematics, Mathematical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning) and then time taken to complete the exam. Negative marking (0.25) may be used as a tie-breaker.
Selection process
For Level 2, top 20% of students from Level 1, or class toppers (minimum 10 students per class, scoring at least 50% marks) qualify.
How to prepare
- Olympiad books provided by Indian Talent Olympiad
- Previous year's question papers
- Monthly Olympiad tests (online)
- Workbooks
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
The syllabus is based on the school curriculum (CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards), with additional questions to test conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking skills. Topics include numbers, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, logical reasoning, fractions, decimals, mensuration, and data handling, varying by grade level. The syllabus is divided into sections: Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning, Everyday Mathematics, and Achievers Section (Higher Order Thinking Questions). For Class 1-5, Logical Reasoning includes patterns, odd one out, measuring units, geometrical shapes, spatial understanding, grouping of figures, analogy, ranking test, and problems based on figures. For Class 6-10, it includes Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The Mathematical Reasoning and Everyday Mathematics sections cover topics relevant to the current and previous class math syllabus, while the Achievers Section features higher-order thinking questions from the current class syllabus.
Frequently asked questions
How can students effectively improve their performance in the IMO?
Consistent practice with a focus on conceptual understanding and problem-solving techniques is crucial. Utilizing Olympiad books, previous year papers, and monthly online tests helps students familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and improve speed and accuracy. Analyzing mistakes and understanding solutions are key to progress.
What are common mistakes participants should avoid during the competition?
Participants often make mistakes due to time management issues, misinterpreting questions, or rushing through calculations. It is important to read each question carefully, allocate time wisely, and double-check answers. Avoiding guesswork if negative marking is applied is also advisable.
How can students manage competitive pressure effectively during the Olympiad?
Managing competitive pressure involves adequate preparation, practicing under timed conditions, and developing a positive mindset. Focusing on individual performance rather than comparing with others, and viewing the competition as a learning experience, can help reduce anxiety and improve focus.
What factors primarily determine the ranking of students in the IMO?
Ranks are primarily determined by the marks obtained in the examination. In case of a tie, priority is given to marks scored in specific sections like Everyday Mathematics, Mathematical Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning, followed by the time taken to complete the exam. Negative marking may also be used as a tie-breaker.
How does participation in the IMO benefit students in their long-term academic and career paths?
Participation in the IMO significantly enhances a student's academic profile, developing critical skills like logical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. These skills are invaluable for future competitive exams, higher education admissions to premier institutions, and successful careers in STEM fields.
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