International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)

The IPhO syllabus is specifically designed for students pursuing higher secondary education, i.e. for Class 11-12 students.

The physics Olympiad program is conducted in 5 stages.

1. National Standard Examination In Physics (NSEP)
Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) organises the NSE exams. The National Standard Examination is composed of objective types of questions. The exam covers the class 12 level physics curriculum.

2. Indian National Olympiad in Physics
The students securing the top positions participate in the INO in physics. Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) organises the INOs for all the subjects. Students who score in top positions become eligible to participate in the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).

3. Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC)
Approximately the top 35 students from the Indian National Olympiad in Physics are selected for the orientation cum selection camp. HBCSE organises the camp for students to work on their concepts, experimental knowledge and problem-solving skills.

4. Pre-Departure Training Camp for IPhO
The pre-departure training camp train’s students on the concepts of physics and covers all the aspects of the international physics Olympiad (IPhO).

5. Participation in International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
The final stage is the IPhO or International Physics Olympiad, where students from all the participating countries enter the competition. The IPhO exam has two stages: the practical and theoretical exams.

To get selected for the IPhO exam, students must compete in the national level examination and qualify for the subsequent stages of the exam. Therefore, only the top 4-5 students get to participate in the IPhO exam.