Indian National Junior Science Olympiad (INJSO) 

4.0Stages of the INJSO

The INJSO typically comes in a multi-step form:

• Stage 1: Regional Level—This is the pre-test held at the regional level in all the centres of India. It is a written examination where students are tested for their scientific knowledge and reasoning ability.
• Stage 2: National Level Those students who top the regional stage get to sit for the national stage. This stage consists of a tougher written test and could have practical or experimental tests.
• Stage 3: International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO): The winners at the national level undergo another phase of screening, and they also have a chance to represent their countries in the International Junior Science Olympiad. Students at IJSO must undergo rigorous theory and practical exams from across the globe.

5.0Examination Dates

• INJSO Indian National Junior Science Olympiad was held on February 3, 2025.

6.0Exam Centers

7.0Exam Pattern for INJSO

Here is the Exam Pattern for Upcoming INJSO:

Also Read: National Standard Exam in Junior Science

8.0Eligibility Criteria

A student must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the INJSO.

• Age Limit: Candidates should not have crossed 16 by January 1, 2024.
• Candidates must have been of Class 10 or lower up to and on November 30, 2023.
• Nationality: The candidate should be an Indian citizen residing in and studying in India.
• Academic Status: At the end of the first semester, they must have at least 60% aggregate marks in class IX and this academic year.
• A student cannot have done any subject in Class 10 before its due date.
• Exemptions Previous Exams: Students must not have appeared in any previous International Junior Science Olympiads (IJSO) or have undergone any orientation or training programme in any subject of natural science at a higher level.

9.0Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The INJSO exam normally consists of two sections they are as follows:

Section 1- Consists 15 MCQs. The right answer will award with three marks, whereas the wrong answer will give you a negative mark (-1).

Section 2—Consists of 9 questions, each carry 5 Marks, and it does not contain any negative marking.

• These questions would have one or more options correct.
• There will be no partial marks for these questions; you will only get marks if you mark all the right answers.

Section 3- Consists of 11 question’s 

• For all the questions in this section, the process involved in arriving at the solution is more important than the final answer. Valid assumptions/approximations are perfectly acceptable. So, write your method clearly, stating all the reasonings/assumptions/approximations.
• If you fall short of writing space for any question, you can ask for an extra sheet. You can ask for a maximum of two additional sheets.

The INJSO syllabus generally follows the NCERT Syllabus for classes 9 and 10, and also includes higher-level questions too, The subject areas are:

10.0Registration Process

The registration process for INJSO generally involves the following steps:

• Visit the official website. 
• Go to the Olympiad section and find the upcoming events.
• Fill out the registration form: All personal and academic details must be correctly mentioned when filling out the online application form. This information includes birth date, NSE centre code if the applicant has a code of identification and roll number.
• Test Center Selection: Choose your exam centre.
• Form Submission: Submit the fully completed registration form.

11.0Benefits of Participating in The INJSO

Participating in the INJSO has many advantages for young students:

• Improved Scientific Knowledge: The intensive preparation and competition greatly improve students' knowledge of core scientific concepts in different fields.
• Acquired critical thinking and problem-solving skills: INJSO develops students to be more reflective about complex problems, attempting to think creatively about such problems. All these will be vital inputs for students' academic and daily lives.
• Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem: Success in the INJSO gives students confidence in their minds regarding their capability and reshapes their attitude towards following their scientific interests with greater passion.
• Exposure to Scientific Research and Innovation: INJSO offers exposure to the students with the cutting-edge scientific research and contact with scientists and teachers.
• Such appreciation from across the world provides international opportunities to achievers of the INJSO, such as being eligible for scholarships, research, and other scholarly advantages.

12.0Preparing for the INJSO

Preparing for the INJSO requires hard work and a strong foundation in science. Here are a few tips for an aspiring INJSO contestant.

• In-depth conceptual understanding: Emphasis on developing a firm foundation in fundamental scientific concepts in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences.
• Regular Practice: Most tough problems have to be practiced regularly to develop problem-solving skills, quickness, and accuracy.
• Refer to quality resources: Read textbooks, online sources, and reference materials to further your knowledge and investigate more complex topics.
• Do Study Groups: Work through problems with a group of young scientists in problem-solving and learning from each other's experiences.
• Seek Advice from Mentors: Seek advice from experienced teachers, scientists, or mentors that can give constructive criticism and direction

13.0Conclusion

The Indian National Junior Science Olympiad emanates from the fact that the Indian youth can accomplish much. It fosters scientific excellence and sets afresh a new age of scientists studying the universe's wonders and advancing human knowledge. As such, it promotes young talent and, through that, promotes scientific culture building. INJSO has very key roles to play for India in the field of science and technology.