India secured the joint first rank at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 after all five members of the Indian team won gold medals. The competition was held in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The achievement reflects the strong performance of India’s Olympiad programme, led by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) Highlights
- Participating Countries: 87
- Participants: 381 students
Gold Medal Winners
- Kanishk Jain: Pune
- Riddhesh Anant Bendale: Indore
- Rishit Garg: New Delhi
- Shresth Suraiya: Mumbai
- Svarit Joshi: Ahmedabad
Joint First Position
- India shared the first rank with: China, Taiwan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Russia
India’s Performance
- 2026 marked India’s 27th participation in the International Physics Olympiad.
- Over the last 10 years, every Indian participant has won either a Gold or Silver medal.
International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is one of the world’s premier international competitions for secondary school students in physics.
- It brings together the best school students from across the world.
- Tests participants through:
- Theoretical Physics
- Experimental Physics
- Promotes excellence in physics education and international scientific collaboration.
Role of HBCSE
The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), is responsible for:
- Identifying talented students.
- Conducting Olympiad training and selection.
- Coordinating India’s participation in international science Olympiads.
- Nodal institution for Olympiad programmes in India.