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Indian National Chemistry Olympiad

Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO) 

INChO is a renowned organization for high school students with a particular interest in Chemistry. They have a chance to exhibit exceptional talent at such a great level. HBCSE organises it jointly with the Indian Association of Chemistry Teachers and conducts it annually. The Olympiad - INChO is a great platform for young scientists to check their potential against all the other children in the country, establishing themselves in all respects.

1.0Exam Centers

List of Centers for INChO Exam

Ahmedabad

Bengaluru

Ranchi

Bhopal

Bhubaneshwar

Chandigarh

Chennai 

Delhi

Guwahati

Hyderabad

Mumbai 

Jaipur

Kochi

Kolkata

Kota 

Lucknow

Nagpur 

Patna

2.0INChO Examination 2026 Overview

INChO encourages aspirants to achieve their dreams simultaneously by working for their country in the International Chemistry Olympiad, IChO.

Host

Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education

Examination

(INChO) Indian National Chemistry Olympiad 2026

Registration Dates

Once Candidates are Shortlisted

INChO 2026 Exam Date

01st February 2026

Application Fee

Rs. 300/-

the

Online

3.0Exam Pattern for INChO

Here is the Exam Pattern for the Upcoming INChO:

Duration of INChO

3 Hrs

Syllabus

Very Equivalent to senior secondary level (up to and including Class XII) of CBSE India

Language

English & Hindi, Can be Choose During Registration

Number of Questions

6

,

80

4.0Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the INChO, a student needs to fulfil the following:

  • Age Limit: Candidates should be from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2008.
  • Nationality: Candidates must be Indian nationals living and being studied in India.
  • Academic Status: The applicant must be a current student of the school and not pass out with board exams in 12th.
  • Exemptions Prior Exams: Students having passed their 12th grade board examinations or having undertaken university courses will not be counted.

5.0Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The INChO exam normally consists of:

  • MCQs. 80 questions, which are Multiple Choice, and may have negative marking in case of wrong answers.
  • It is conducted in both Hindi and English so that every student gets an opportunity to exercise their preferred language.
  • The exam will last around three hours in duration.

The INChO syllabus is very relevant to the senior secondary curriculum,their mainly based on the CBSE Class 11 and 12. The subject areas are:

  • Inorganic Chemistry:

Electronic configuration of atoms and ions

Periodic trends (main groups)

Physical properties of elements

Chemical bonding and molecular structures

Nomenclature of inorganic compounds

Chemical calculations

Isotopes

Natural cycles

Chemistry of s-block, p-block, and d-block elements

  • Organic Chemistry:

Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatics

Halogenated hydrocarbons

Alcohols, phenols, and ethers

Carbonyl compounds

Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Nitrogen-containing compounds

Biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids)

  • Physical Chemistry:

Chemical equilibrium

Ionic equilibrium

Electrochemistry

Chemical kinetics

Thermodynamics (first and second laws)

Phase equilibria

  • Biochemistry:

Amino acids and peptides

Proteins

Lipids

Enzymes

Carbohydrates

Respiration and photosynthesis

Nucleic acids and protein synthesis

  • Experimental Chemistry:

Inorganic and organic compound synthesis

Qualitative analysis of inorganic and organic compounds

Basic laboratory techniques and measurements

6.0Registration Process

  1. The registration process for INChO 2026 generally involves the following steps:
  2. Address of the Official Website: Surf over to the official website of HBCSE.
  3. On the website, go to its Olympiad section
  4. Find the Upcoming Events by selecting the from it
  5. Fill out the Registration form: All personal and academic details must be correctly added to the online application form. This information includes birth date, NSE centre code if the applicant has a code of identification and roll number.
  6. Test Centre Selection: Select one of the centres available for appearing at.
  7. Form Submission: Submit the completely filled-in registration form.

Also Read: National Standard Examination in Chemistry

7.0Preparation Tips for INChO

A well-thought out and comprehensive preparation is needed to win in INChO. Here are a few tips that are going to be helpful:

  • Foundation: It should be guaranteed that clear concept of chemistry ideas should be acquired through reading NCERT textbooks and other study material on a regular basis.
  • Practice: Practice questions and old year question papers have to be attempted to get acquainted with the trend of the examination and improve problem-solving ability.
  • Refer to Quality Study Materials: Utilize high quality material like reference books and online material and coaching material to acquire better knowledge and understanding
  • Conceptual Understanding: Read more on the conceptual lines rather than memorization-type learning. Know the principles behind and what their applications are.
  • Getting the Right Guidance: Attend classes and take guidance from experienced Chemistry instructors to clear concepts as well as receive one-to-one mentorship.
  • Time Management: An efficient time management trick needs to be developed in order to finish an exam within a specified time.
  • Staying Current: Scientific journals, periodicals, and internet resources will be utilized to stay abreast of recent developments and advances in chemistry.

8.0Benefits of Participating in INChO 2026

Several benefits come with the involvement of students during the INChO:

  • Knowledge Acquired: The intense preparation for the INChO helps the students comprehend the principles of chemistry and how to think critically.
  • The tough test also improves an individual's analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • This course, the INChO, provides exposure to high-level ideas in chemistry and prepares the student for potential higher studies in the science stream.
  • Awards and Opportunities: The winners of the INChO are eligible for esteemed awards, scholarships, and chances to represent India at International Chemistry Olympiads.
  • Personal Development: The process of being involved in a competitive exam such as the INChO brings out self-discipline, grit, and determination.

9.0Conclusion

The INChO, therefore, allows the enthusiastic young chemist to discover himself; it is a challenge wherein they are encouraged to find out something new and rewarding and one which can be followed into the world of scientific discovery. Through meticulous preparation and accepting those challenges, students not only succeed in this examination but also acquire good knowledge and skills, which will serve in great stead throughout their academic and later professional careers.

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