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List of Top Olympiad Exams in India

By FatimaFebruary 15, 2024
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Olympiad Exams are competitive exams conducted by various bodies for Classes 1 to 12 at the national and international levels. Students from different schools and boards participate and compete with each other on a similar educational level. The pattern of these exams is based on the school curriculum in the correlation of respective boards, CBSE, ICSE, and other state boards.


The agenda of these examinations is to evaluate students’ performance and promote concept-based learning with logical thinking. These exams help students to know their areas of strengths, weaknesses, and improvements to ace their academic performance. The students get an opportunity to present their intellectual skills at a bigger level which ultimately adds value to their overall career. 


Read further to know details about Olympiad Exams in India.
Top Olympiad Exams in India for Class 1 to 12 Students
Also Read: Guide to Preparing for a Maths Olympiad

Olympiad Exams Conducted by Science Olympiad Foundation

SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation) conducts olympiad exams on two levels in various subjects, including General Knowledge, Mathematics, Science, English, Commerce, and Social Studies, among others. Candidates can get the details on the official website of sofworld.org.

1. National Cyber Olympiad (NCO) 

The National Cyber Olympiad is an annual cyber competition in India conducted for students in Classes 1 to 10. The question paper is objective, with 35 questions for Classes 1 to 4 and 50 for Classes 5 to 10. The exam duration is 60 minutes. The question paper contains three sections - Logical Reasoning, Computers, and Information Technology and Achievers.


2. National Science Olympiad (NSO)

The National Science Olympiad is a Science competition conducted by SOF for the students of Classes 1 to 12 to test their scientific reasoning and logical ability. It is held in two levels - Level one is for Classes 1 to 12 while Level 2 is for Classes 3 to 12.

3. International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

The SOF organises IMO for the students of Classes 1 to 12. It is a mathematical competition that tests students’ knowledge of logical reasoning, mathematical reasoning, and daily routine Maths. It has two levels - IMO Level 1 is for Classes 1 to 12 while IMO Level 2 is for Classes 3 to 12. The duration of the exam is 1 hour.

4. International English Olympiad (IEO)

It is a competition for students on a global level who have passed an international English Language test. It is held on two levels. Level 1 for Classes 1 to 4 contains 35 MCQ-based questions, while Level 2 is for Classes 5 to 12, which carries 50 questions of 60 marks. The questions are asked from the Word and Structure Knowledge, Reading, Spoken and Written Expression, and Achievers sections.

5. International Commerce Olympiad (ICO)

SOF and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India jointly organise the ICO exam, which is a single-level test for the students of Classes 11 and 12. The exam duration is 60 minutes while the questions are asked in Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy, and Achievers sections.

6. International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO)

The exam is held every year by SOF for the students of Classes 1 to 10. It is a single-level exam that contains questions from General Awareness, Current Affairs, Life Skills, and Achievers sections.

7. International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO)

It is a single-level exam conducted for the students of Classes 3 to 10. For Classes 3 to 5, the paper is divided into two sections - Social studies and Achievers section while for Classes 6 to 8, it is divided into History, Geography, Social and Political Life, and Achievers Section.

SOF Awards 

At International Level

  • 1st Rank - Rs.50,000/- Each + Gold Medal Certificate of Outstanding Performance

  • 2nd Rank - Rs.25,000/- Each + Silver Medal + Certificate of Outstanding Performance

  • 3rd Rank - Rs.10,000/- Each + Bronze Medal and Certificate of Outstanding Performance

At Zonal Level

  • 1st Rank - Gifts worth Rs 1000/- Each + Zonal Gold Medal & Certificate of Zonal Excellence.

  • 2nd Rank - Gifts worth Rs 1000/- Each + Zonal Silver Medal + Certificate of Zonal Excellence.

  • 3rd Rank - Gifts worth Rs 1000/- Each + Zonal Bronze Medal + Certificate of Zonal Excellence.

  • 4th to 10th - Gifts worth Rs 500/- Each + Medal of Distinction + Certificate of Distinction

  • 11th to 25th - Medal of Distinction + Certificate of Distinction

  • Rank 26+ - Participation Certificate

At School Level

  • Gold medals to top rankers

  • Student Performance Report (SPR) to each participant

Olympiad Exams Conducted by SilverZone Foundation

It is a non-governmental organisation that organises the SilverZone olympiad exams with the Delhi Government’s registration on both national and international levels. It holds many olympiads for students to keen their understanding in Science, Maths, Computer, General knowledge, and the English language. 


1. International Informatics Olympiad

The conducting body conducts this exam annually for the students of Classes 1 to 12 to examine students’ proficiency in Computer Science.

2. International Olympiad of Science

This exam is held for Classes 1 to 12 to test students’ competency in Science. The duration of the exam is 40 minutes, and the questions are 100 marks.

3. International Olympiad of Mathematics

The exam is held annually for the students of Classes 1 to 12 at the national and international levels. To prepare for the Silverzone olympiad, students should complete their school curriculum.

Other Exams Conducted by SilverZone Foundation

  • International Olympiad English Language (IOEL)

  • Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Olympiad (ABHO)

  • Smart Kid General Knowledge Olympiad (SKGKO)

  • International Social Science Olympiad (iSSO)

  • International Reasoning and Aptitude Olympiad (IRAO)

  • Little Star Olympiad (LKG, UKG)

SilverZone Foundation Awards 

  • 1st Rank - Cash Prize of Rs. 7,500/-

  • 2nd Rank - Cash Prize of Rs.5,000/-

  • 3rd Rank - Cash Prize of Rs. 2,500/-

  • 4th to 10th - Medals of Excellence

  • 11th to 500th - Topper achievement certificate

Olympiad Exams Conducted by Indian Talent Olympiad

Indian Talent Olympiad is a popular platform that conducts Olympiad exams in a variety of subjects like Science, Maths, English, GK etc. 

  • International Science Olympiad (ISO)

  • International Maths Olympiad (IMO)

  • English International Olympiad (EIO)

  • General Knowledge International Olympiad (GKIO)

  • International Computer Olympiad (ICO)

  • International Drawing Olympiad (IDO)

  • National Essay Olympiad (NESO)

  • National Social Studies Olympiad (NSSO)

Olympiad Exams Conducted By EduHeal Foundation

EduHeal Foundation is a non-profit foundation with an association of renowned experts in various professions such as Business executives, educators etc. The exam is conducted both online and offline. The first level is paper-based, and the second and third levels are online. 

  • National Interactive Maths Olympiad [NIMO]

  • National Biotechnology Olympiad [NBTO]

  • National Space Science Olympiad [NSSO]

  • National Interactive Science Olympiad [NISO]

  • Art Clinic Contest (ACC)

Other Olympiad Exams 

By UNICUS

  • Unicus Mathematics Olympiad (UMO)

  • Unicus Science Olympiad (USO)

  • Unicus English Olympiad (UEO)

  • Unicus General Knowledge Olympiad (UGKO)

By International Assessments for Indian Schools (IAIS)

  • IAIS Maths Olympiad

  • IAIS English Olympiad

  • IAIS Science Olympiad

  • IAIS Digital Technologies


By Crest Olympiads

  • Mathematics (CMO) – For Classes Prep/KG and 1-10

  • Science (CSO) – For Classes Prep/KG and 1-10

  • English (CEO) – For Classes Prep/KG and 1-10

  • Computer (CCO) – For Classes 1-10

  • Reasoning (CRO) – For Classes 1-10

  • Spell Bee (CSB) – For Classes 1-8

  • Spell Bee (CSBW) – For Classes 1-8

By Crest ASSET

  • ASSET English Olympiad

  • ASSET Maths Olympiad

  • ASSET Science Olympiad

Importance of Participating in Olympiad Exams

Olympiad Exams are considered extremely popular and prestigious competitive exams that provide students with wide exposure on a global level. Participation of students in these exams encourages them to improve their academic attainment and measure their learning with other students on a similar education level. 


They win scholarships, medals, certificates, and other exciting prizes for attaining the highest rank. Since the questions are framed from the ongoing school syllabus, it gets easy to understand topics for the students.

Final Thoughts

So, now you know the various types of Olympiad exams in India that students of Classes 1 to 12 can participate in. Olympiad Exams are considered extremely popular, and prestigious competitive exams that provide students a wide exposure on a global level. Participation of students in these exams encourages them to improve their academic attainment and measure their learning with other students on a similar education level. 


They get to win scholarship prizes, medals, certificates, and other exciting prizes for attaining the highest rank. Since the questions are framed from the ongoing school syllabus, it gets easy to understand topics for the students.


Class 10 and 12 CBSE Exam Preparation: Essential Links for Success!

Accessing important study resources is integral to effective exam preparation for both Class 10 and Class 12 students. To streamline your study process, we have compiled a comprehensive table featuring essential pages for both classes. From study materials to previous year question papers, this table provides quick access to all the resources you need to excel in your academic journey. Click on the links to unlock the path to academic excellence and confidently ace your CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams!


FAQs on List of Top Olympiad Exams in India

1. Which are the olympiads for Class 2 students?

Students of Class 2 can participate in the olympiad exams organised by SOF, Silverzone, and Unified Council.

2. What are the olympiads for LKG and UKG?

Little Star Olympiad is held by Silverzon for LKG and UKG students.

3. How are the students ranked in the Olympiad examinations?

Students are ranked based on their exam scores and individual accomplishments. They get a Student Performance Report (SPR).


Competitive Exams after 12th Science