HBCSE – Science Olympiad

Stages of Science Olympiad

The National Science Olympiad examination is being conducted in nearly 1400 schools across the country. It culminates with other Olympiad of International level. The national level examinations are designed to evaluate the students’ conceptual understanding, logical reasoning and laboratory skills. Above all, this exam access the ability of a student to apply problem-solving skills to novel situations, both theoretical and experimental. This exam is conducted at five stages. The first two stages do not necessarily require any specialised training outside the regular school system. Guidance and mentorship is included from the third stage of the programme.

Please click here  for procedures to be adopted for the 2020-21 cycle.

Stage 1:

The National Standard Examination (NSE) is the stage one examination. NSE is primarily taken care by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). The Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT) and the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS) takes the academic responsibility of Chemistry and Biology tests respectively. While Physics, Astronomy and Junior Science are taken care by IAPT itself. The NSE tests are based on objective type questions. Tis exam is being conducted in English and Hindi, additional languages also available in Physics. The syllabus of these competitions covers the course of class XII (for Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Class X (for Junior Science) of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). However, the level of questions in all levels of Olympiads (including NSEs) are expected to be of a higher difficulty than the board examinations. These examinations are generally held by November end every year at nearly 1400 centres across the nation. Registration can be done in the school itself for this preliminary stage. Student has to pay Rs/- 100 in the entire process up to the International Olympiads.

Stage 2:

The Indian National Olympiads (INOs) is the second stage of this exam. Nearly 300 best-performing students qualify for the second stage. HBCSE handles from here onwards for further stages. The INOs are generally organized by January end at 18 centres across the country. The syllabus is repeated as that of the NSEs. The tests are mix of objective as well as long questions.

Stage 3:

The top 35 students in each subject from the INOs are eligible for the third stage. The Orientation-cum-Selection Camps (OCSCs) is being organized at HBCSE from April to June. At these camps, more emphasis is given on developing conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills. Here, orientation is provided to students for the Olympiad level for theoretical, experimental and observational (for astronomy) tasks. Students are Exposure for innovative experiments is given to students with a focus on conceptual and procedural understanding in experimental science. Students are trained in basic notions in astrophysics, astronomical data analysis and night sky observations in Astronomy subject. Theoretical and experimental/observational tests are conducted during the camp. Based on the performance in these tests, students  are selected to represent India at the International Olympiads.

Stage 4:

From here onwards, selected Indian teams undergo a rigorous training programme at HBCSE in theory and experiment in astronomy, observational astronomy prior to their departure for the International Olympiads. Special laboratories have been dedicated in HBCSE for this noble purpose. Dignitaries and academic specialist from different institutions across the country guide, mentor and train students for final stage. 

Stage 5:

4-6 students (in each subject) qualifies for final and last stage. These students are being accompanied by 2-4 teachers or mentors. Every Indian student (almost) who has participated in the Science and Astronomy Olympiads has a medal of excellence at International level.

Science Olympiad

National Standard Examinations in Astronomy (NSEA), Biology (NSEB), Chemistry (NSEC), Junior Science (NSEJS), and Physics (NSEP) are the first stage of selection of students in the National Olympiad Programme. Every student aspiring to go through successive stages of the programme and participating in the international Olympiads in current year must enrol for the NSEs in the respective subjects to be held in previous year.

ELIGIBILITY FOR NSE/AND SUBSEQUENT STAGES:

Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics:

  1. Must be holding an Indian passport.*
    • According to the Madras High Court orders, OCI students will NOT be eligible for selection to the Indian team in the International Olympiads. However, such students shall be provisionally eligible for selection at all prior stages, up to and including the OCSC (stage III), provided they fulfil rest other criteria. They are provisionally eligible to write the selection tests at the OCSC (orientation cum selection camp). Without prior notice, this policy is subject to revision depending on any further orders issued by the courts, or by a competent government authority.
  2. Date of birth should be between 1 July 2002  to 30 June 2007, both days inclusive.
  3. Candidate should be studying and residing in India since 30 November 2019 or earlier. OR Must be schooling in an Indian school system since 30 November 2019 or earlier.
  4. Must not have completed (or about to complete) class 12 board examination earlier than 30 November 2021.
  5. Candidate must not have completed (or planning to complete) studies in a university or equivalent institution by 1 June 2022.
  6. Must not be competing in NSEJS 2021.

Junior Science:

  1. Must be holding an Indian passport.*
    • According to the Madras High Court orders, OCI students will NOT be eligible for selection to the Indian team in the International Olympiads. However, such students shall be provisionally eligible for selection at all prior stages, up to and including the OCSC (stage III), provided they fulfil rest other criteria. They are provisionally eligible to write the selection tests at the OCSC (orientation cum selection camp). Without prior notice, this policy is subject to revision depending on any further orders issued by the courts, or by a competent government authority.
  2. Date of birth should be between 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2008, both days inclusive.
  3. Candidate should be studying and residing in India since 30 November 2019 or earlier. OR Must be schooling in an Indian school system since 30 November 2019 or earlier.
  4. Must not have completed (or about to complete) class 10 board examination earlier than 30 November 2021.
  5. Must not be competing in any of NSEA, NSEB, NSEC, or NSEP 2021.

The student’s has to take the responsibility to determine if he/she satisfies the eligibility norms. Student may face disqualification from the programme if at some later stage it is found that the student does not meet the eligibility norms.

*[The criteria of holding a valid Indian passport is subject to revision in case of further court orders or orders by a competent Government authority for eligibility of OCI students.]

Enrolment

For participation in the International Olympiad, all students must appear in the first stage examination, the National Standard Examination (NSE) in their respective subject.

Candidates who have represented India in the International Olympiad on a previous occasion (IOAA, IBO, IChO, IJSO and IPhO) are exempted for the first stage NSE examination in the respective subject. Students who have represented India at the Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) and the International Astronomy Olympiad Junior (IAO-Jr) level are exempted from the 1st stage NSEP and NSEA exams respectively. First stage qualifiers who thus qualify to skip the first stage NSEs should write to the National Coordinator, Science and Astronomy Olympiad (nc_olympiad@ hbcse.tifr.res.in) before 1 January, 2020, for permission, to directly appear for the second stage Indian National Olympiad (INO) examination.

Before enrolling for NSEs, below is the eligibility criteria.

  • Enrolment at student’s own school/college: if student’s school or college is registered as NSE centre, a student can enrol for NSE at his/her own institution. Students can directly connect with the principal as he/ she would be the contact person.
  • Enrolment at a different school/college: A student can register at nearby centre if his/ her own institution is not a registered NSE centre.  Student can find the list of registration centres on the IAPT website: www.iapt.org.in.
  • Enrolment fees: Rs. 150/- per student per subject. Fee should be paid to the centre in-charge of the NSE registration centre.
  • Students who have registered from states other than the state of their school are requested to submit the scanned copy of the NSE admit card, and the school ID by email to iapt.nse@gmail.com on or before 15 December. 
  • NSE centre registration: Any state recognised school/college with a minimum number of 20 students, is eligible to become a NSE centre. NSE centre registration is subject to approval by Chief Coordinator, IAPT examinations.
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