IChOInternational Chemistry Olympiad
About IChO
The International Chemistry Olympiad, first held in 1968, brings together four-member national teams for two marathon examinations: a theory paper and a full laboratory practical, each around five hours. Marking weights theory at sixty percent and practical at forty, so contestants must be as sure-handed at the bench as on paper.
India has participated since 1999 and selects its team through the HBCSE cycle beginning with NSEC each November. Preparation at the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp includes dedicated laboratory training — a component Indian school curricula rarely emphasise — before the final four are named.
Accepted by: Medals are internationally recognised for university admissions in chemistry and allied sciences; selection to the Indian team is itself a rare national distinction
Official websiteIChO eligibility
Secondary-school students under 20 and not enrolled at university; India’s four-member team is selected via NSEC → INChO → OCSC
IChO exam pattern
Sections
- Theoretical examination: about 5 hours of long-form problems (60% weighting)
- Practical/laboratory examination: about 5 hours of wet-lab tasks (40% weighting)
Marking scheme: None (step-marked solutions)
IChO syllabus outline
- Physical, organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry per the IChO regulations, with host-announced advanced topics each year
- The practical exam demands genuine bench skills: synthesis, titration, qualitative analysis and careful reporting
- India’s route: NSEC (IAPT, November) → INChO (HBCSE, Jan–Feb) → OCSC Chemistry camp → team of four
Preparing for IChO?
Olympiads reward deep fundamentals — the same preparation that pays off later in JEE, NEET and other entrance exams. Explore every national and international olympiad, or check the official site for this year's dates and registration.