IPhOInternational Physics Olympiad
About IPhO
The International Physics Olympiad has run since 1967 and now draws national teams of five from most of the world. Its two five-hour examinations — one theoretical, one experimental — are widely considered the toughest physics test a school student can face, covering the full pre-university canon at research-flavoured depth.
India has competed since 1998 with a consistently strong medal record. The team is built entirely through the government-backed HBCSE cycle: top NSEP scorers sit INPhO, its toppers attend the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp in Mumbai, and the five best across theory and laboratory tests earn the blazer.
Accepted by: Medals and honourable mentions carry major weight in admissions to top physics programmes worldwide; team selection itself is among India’s highest school-level physics honours
Official websiteIPhO eligibility
Secondary-school students (not enrolled at university, under the IPhO age limit); India’s five-member team is selected via NSEP → INPhO → OCSC
IPhO exam pattern
Sections
- Theoretical examination: 3 problems, 5 hours (30 marks)
- Experimental examination: laboratory tasks, 5 hours (20 marks)
Marking scheme: None (step-marked solutions)
IPhO syllabus outline
- Mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, waves and optics, relativity and modern physics per the official IPhO syllabus
- The experimental exam tests real laboratory technique: measurement design, error analysis and data interpretation
- India’s route: NSEP (IAPT, November) → INPhO (HBCSE, Jan–Feb) → OCSC Physics camp → team of five
Preparing for IPhO?
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.