Indian students win five medals at International Junior Astronomy Olympiad in Thailand

The Indian contingent secured the medals at the international competition in Ubon Ratchathani, where 104 students from 25 countries took part, accompanied by 53 team leaders and observers.

Siddharth Laxmisha of Aditya Vidyashram Residential School, Poraiyur, Puducherry, and Swara Srujal Patel of the School of Excellence, Wadhwan, Gujarat, won gold medals.

Aarna Chaplot of Maa Bharti Senior Secondary School, Kota, Rajasthan, and Krish Bhaskar of KS International Academy, Bagar, Rajasthan, secured silver medals.

Akshara Gulab Ambone of Lords Public School, Maharashtra, won the bronze medal.

International competition in Thailand

The Olympiad was formally inaugurated on November 2 at the Ubon Ratchathani University campus, with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand presiding over the ceremony.

The annual competition tests the astronomy and astrophysics knowledge of students below the age of 16.

This year's event was jointly hosted by the Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation (POSN), Ubon Ratchathani Province, Ubon Ratchathani University and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand.

NCSM organises India's selection programme

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), under the Ministry of Culture, is responsible for selecting and preparing India's junior team for the international competition through the Indian National Junior Astronomy Olympiad (INJAO).

The selection process involves five stages, beginning with the National Standard Examination in Junior Science (NSEJS), conducted by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers.

Candidates then progress through the Indian National Junior Science Olympiad (INJSO), the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC), specialised training and the final international competition.

The OCSC-2026 took place at NCSM headquarters in May this year.

Twenty-five students selected through the first two stages received training in theoretical and observational astronomy, including problem-solving and night-sky observation.

Following examinations and further selection, five students earned places in the Indian contingent.

They subsequently attended a Pre-Departure Camp at NCSM headquarters from October 26 to 31 for intensive preparation.

NCSM Director General welcomes performance

NCSM Director General K. S. Murali said the Indian students' performance reflected their dedication, scientific aptitude and perseverance.

"We are immensely proud of the outstanding performance of our young Indian participants at the 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-Jr.) 2026. Winning 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal at this prestigious international event reflects their dedication, scientific aptitude and perseverance," he said.

Murali added that NCSM facilitates India's participation each year through intensive training and mentorship provided during the OCSC and Pre-Departure Camp.

NCSM also operates Astronomy Education Centres across its science centres, offering planetariums, exhibitions on India's astronomical heritage, sky observations and lectures to encourage interest in astronomy.

The Indian contingent was accompanied by team leaders Jhuma Ghosh, Curator at the National Science Centre, Guwahati, and M. M. Rout, DSO, DSC, Dhenkanal.

NCSM officials Umesh Kumar Rustagi, Deputy Director General, and Rajib Nath, Director (Headquarters), also attended the programme.