India shines at International Junior Science Olympiad 2025 with six-medal finish

India secured a strong finish at the 22nd International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO 2025) in Sirius, Russia, where students earned two gold and four silver medals during the Nov 22 to Dec 1 event.

This year’s competition brought together about 140 participants from 24 countries.

The six-member Indian squad saw Aadish Jain from Haryana and Anmol Kumar from Punjab take home gold medals.

Silver medals were won by Asmi Inamdar from Maharashtra, Sai Sravan Muvvala from Telangana, Ruhan Mohanty from Bhubaneswar, and Tejas SV from Tamil Nadu.

The delegation traveled with team leaders Shirish Pathare, Scientist at HBCSE, TIFR; Prof Vedavyasa, Retired Professor at St Josephs College; Aravinda S from TDC, IISc Challakere; and Scientific Observer Geetha RS, Retired Professor at Vijaya College, Bangalore.

IJSO evaluates students through two theoretical exams and one experimental exam, each lasting three hours. India’s team was chosen through a three-phase selection system similar to other science Olympiads.

The process began with a nationwide Junior Science Olympiad exam that drew participation from over 50,000 students at nearly 1200 centers, conducted by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers. Later rounds involved additional theoretical and practical tests.

Ahead of departure, the team trained at the Vidyavardhaka Sangh in Bangalore, the current base of the IAPT-JSO cell.

The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, a national center of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, oversees all Science Olympiads in India, as well as the Mathematical Olympiad.

The responsibility for the Junior Science Olympiad is now with the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, which manages team selection and training with guidance from HBCSE.

These Olympiad initiatives receive support from the Department of Atomic Energy, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Human Resource Development.