Indian National Astronomy Olympiad: INAO 2023-24 Exam Dates

The Indian Association of Physics Teachers is in charge of organising the first stage test, the National Standard Examination (NSE) (IAPT). The Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT) and the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS) are responsible for academics in Chemistry and Biology, respectively, while IAPT is responsible for Physics, Astronomy, and Junior Science. The NSEs are objective-type assessments that are available in English and Hindi, with other languages in Physics available. The syllabus is roughly equal to the Central Board of Secondary Education's Class XII (for Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) and Class X (for Junior Science) syllabuses (CBSE). However, questions in all levels of Olympiads (including NSEs) are likely to be more challenging than those found in board exams. Every year, at the end of November, almost 1400 centres around the country hold these exams. This preparatory level can be registered for by students at their schools. To participate in the International Olympiads, the student will only have to pay a registration fee of Rs 100.

In Stage Two 

The top-performing students from the NSEs advance to the Indian National Olympiads (INOs), the second level. From this point forward, HBCSE is solely responsible for the programme. The INOs take place in late January at 18 different locations around the country. The curriculum is identical to that of the NSEs. The examinations include both objective and lengthy questions.

In Stage Three 

The best students from the INOs (about 35 per topic) are invited to the Orientation-cum-Selection Camps (OCSCs), which are held at HBCSE from April to June. Students are given orientation for the Olympiad level of theoretical, experimental, and observational (for astronomy) challenges during these camps. The development of intellectual underpinnings and problem-solving abilities is prioritised. Students are exposed to new experiments in experimental science with a focus on conceptual and procedural comprehension. Students in astronomy are taught the fundamentals of astrophysics, astronomical data analysis, and night sky observations. During the camp, there will be several theoretical and experimental/observational tests. Few students (numbers mentioned below) are chosen to represent India at international Olympiads based on their achievement in these assessments.

In Stage Four

Before leaving for the international Olympiads, the selected Indian teams attend a rigorous preparation programme at HBCSE in theory and experiment, as well as observational astronomy in the case of astronomy. For this aim, HBCSE has created special laboratories. The training sessions are attended by resource individuals from various institutions around the nation.

In Stage Five

The Olympiad curriculum culminates with the participation of Indian students (4-6 per topic) in international competitions. A group of 2-4 professors or mentors accompany the pupils. Nearly every Indian student who competed in the Science and Astronomy Olympiads received a medal.

Eligibility for INAO 

Candidates who pass the National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA) will be eligible to sit for the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO), which is administered by the HBCSE (Homi Bhabha Centre For Science Education). In most cases, this exam is held around the end of November. It is the second stage, and only those applicants who passed the Astronomy Stage 1 test will be allowed to take the exam. Here is the eligibility criteria:

• You must be able to obtain an Indian passport.

• Date of birth Between the 1st of July 2001 and the 30th of June 2006, both days inclusive.

• You must have lived and studied in India from November 30, 2018, or before. OR Since 30 November 2018 or earlier, you must have been enrolled in an Indian educational system.

• Class 12 board examination must not have been completed (or expected to be completed) before November 30, 2020.

• By June 1, 2021, you must not have started (or plan to start) studies at a university or comparable institution.

• NSEJS 2020 must not be on the horizon.

Important Dates for INAO 2023

Due to the situation of the Covid-19 virus still being prevalent in some states of the country, HBCSE has not yet announced the INAO 2023 exam dates. It was earlier announced in 2021 that the three-stage selection process for the International Astronomy Olympiad will now be conducted only in two stages. 

NSEA and INAO examinations will be held on the same day as a single paper as was done in 2023. This stage will be called the Indian Olympiad Qualifier. The second stage will be called the Orientation Cum Selection Camp in Astronomy.

Here below are the tentative dates for the INAO 2023 exam as per the dates for INAO 2022-23 exam. Students must keep in mind that these dates are only for reference and they must follow the official website to know about any latest updates.