Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO) 2027
Latest Update: INPhO 2027 (Indian National Physics Olympiad) will be held on Sunday, 31 January 2027, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 17 centres across India. Students qualify through NSEP 2026, held on 22 November 2026.
INPhO is a scholarly Oympiad instituted to sift through India's exceptionally able pre-university students and foster their talents in the science of Physics. Such competitions mark a big stepping stone toward participation at the highest level in this activity at the International Physics Olympiad, IPhO.
The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education comes under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. It guides INPhO, which is a process of shortlisting the team to appear and represent India in the International Physics Olympiad. At the same time, it allows the students to better learn the material and, in the process, enhance the teaching-learning experience of the concerned teacher.
1.0What is INPhO?
The Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO) is the second-stage national physics exam that selects students for India's International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) team. It is conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a national centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Students reach INPhO only by qualifying the National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP), conducted by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT).
The National Olympiad Programme is fully funded by the Government of India through DAE, DST, the Ministry of Education and ISRO. It is free of coaching requirements in the first two stages; HBCSE notes that NSEP and INPhO do not necessarily require specialised coaching outside school.
2.0INPhO 2027: EXAM OVERVIEW
3.0INPhO 2027 important dates
4.0Stages in the INPhO Program
The INPhO Exam typically involves multiple stages.
- National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP): This is the first round, a multiple-choice test open to thousands of students nationwide.
- Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO): Those students who qualify through performance in NSEP are nominated to take part in the INPhO, the more challenging theoretical test.
- Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp, OCSC: The best candidates from the INPhO are called to an orientation-cum-selection camp held at HBCSE. There, they are theoretically and experimentally trained in physics to finalize the teams for India for IPhO.
- International Physics Olympiad (IPhO): The future select Indian team will participate in an international competition where selected students from all over the world compete.
The INPhO program consists of a very rigorous selection procedure, with an emphasis on building critical thinking and problem-solving and experimental skills. It is a special chance to pursue one's interest in physics and work through challenging scientific principles.
5.0INPhO 2027 eligibility
To appear for NSEP 2026 and move on to INPhO 2027, a student must meet all of these conditions:
- Be eligible to hold an Indian passport.
- Be born between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2012 (both days inclusive).
- Be residing and studying in India since 30 November 2024 or earlier, or studying in an Indian school system since that date.
- Be in Class X, XI or XII at the time of enrolment.
- Not have passed, or be scheduled to complete, the Class XII board exam before 30 November 2026.
- Not have started, or plan to start, university studies by 1 June 2027.
- Not be appearing in NSEJS 2026.
OCI note: As per Madras High Court orders, OCI students cannot be selected for the Indian team at IPhO. They are provisionally eligible for all stages up to and including the OCSC.
6.0Exam Dates
- NSEP (National Standard Examination in Physics): 22 November 2025 (Tentative)
- INPhO (Indian National Physics Olympiad): 31 January 2027 (Tentative)
7.0Exam Centers
8.0Selection Process
NSEP:
- Multiple-choice questions (48) with single correct answers.
- Multiple-choice questions (12) with one or more correct alternatives.
INPhO:
- Based on NSEP performance, a target of 400 students (200 from Group A (Class XII) and 200 from Group B (Class XI or X)) will be selected for INPhO.
- Selection criteria include:
- Minimum Admissible Score (MAS)
- Merit Index (MI)
- Proportional Representation Clause (state-wise quota)
- Minimum Total Number Clause
- Super-numerary Quota for Female Students
- Previous International Representation Clause
OCSC (Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp):
- 40 students will be selected for OCSC based on INPhO performance.
- OCSC includes theoretical and experimental training.
- Based on OCSC performance, a team of 5 students will be selected to represent India at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).
9.0Exam Pattern for INPhO
Here is the Exam Pattern for the Upcoming INPhO:
10.0Syllabus for INPhO 2027
11.0Training
Selected students will undergo rigorous training at HBCSE before the IPhO.
- IPhO(International Physics Olympiad) 2026: To be held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from July 4th to 12th, 2026.
- IPhO 2027 will be held in Hungary in the month of July 2027.
Also Explore: International Olympiad of Science
12.0Key features of the Indian National Physics Olympiad
Academic Excellence
- Fosters Scientific Talent: INPhO seeks to identify and nurture exceptionally talented pre-university students in physics.
- High-Level Competition: It helps Indian students participate in the highly competitive International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).
- Long selection procedure including NSEP, INPhO, and an orientation-cum-selection camp focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and experimental skills.
Eligibility and Participation
- Open for Indian Citizens: The applicant students should hold Indian citizenship or a passport.
- Born between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2011.
- Educational Qualifications: Class X, XI, and/or XII studies.
Exam Details
- NSEP: Stage I, multiple choice test.
- INPhO: Second stage; a slightly more difficult theoretical exam.
- Exam Centres: Held across major cities in India.
- Syllabus: A wide syllabus covering everything in physics - mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and quantum physics.
Training and Support
- OCSC: The selected students would attend an intensive theoretical and experimental course at HBCSE.
- Mentorship: HBCSE offers mentorship and assistance to students during and after the selection process.
International Representation
IPhO Participation: Top-level students of OCSC get selected to represent India in the International Physics Olympiad.
