By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 13 July 2026

India won five gold medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from 5 to 12 July 2026. The Indian team finished joint World No. 1 along with China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan, in a competition that featured 381 students from 87 countries.

The International Physics Olympiad is an annual global competition for secondary-school students and is one of the five International Science Olympiads. This was only the second time after 2018 that all five members of the Indian team won gold.

The five Indian gold medallists were Kanishk Jain (Pune), Riddhesh Anant Bendale (Indore), Rishit Garg (Delhi), Shresth Suraiya (Mumbai) and Svarit Joshi (Ahmedabad). The delegation was led by Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) and Prof. Leena Joshi of St Xavier's College, Mumbai.

Exam Facts

  • Event: 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026.
  • Host: Bucaramanga, Colombia (5–12 July 2026).
  • India's tally: Five gold medals; joint World No. 1.
  • First IPhO: Held in 1967; conducted annually.
  • HBCSE: Part of TIFR, Mumbai.

Practice Questions

Q1.How many gold medals did India win at the IPhO 2026?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five
D. Six

Show Answer

Answer: C – Five gold medals.

Q2.The 56th IPhO 2026 was hosted by which country?
A. Brazil
B. Colombia
C. Mexico
D. Argentina

Show Answer

Answer: B – Colombia (Bucaramanga).

Q3.Which institution manages India's Science Olympiad programme?
A. IISc
B. HBCSE
C. IIT Delhi
D. ISRO

Show Answer

Answer: B – HBCSE.

Q4.HBCSE is a part of which institute?
A. TIFR
B. BARC
C. CSIR
D. DRDO

Show Answer

Answer: A – TIFR.

Q5.In which year was the first International Physics Olympiad held?
A. 1957
B. 1967
C. 1977
D. 1987

Show Answer

Answer: B – 1967.

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

  • UPSC Prelims: Science & technology, institutions (HBCSE, TIFR, DAE).
  • UPSC Mains – GS Paper III: Science education, STEM human resources.
  • RPSC / SSC / Banking: Current affairs and static GK on Science Olympiads.

UPSC Mains Descriptive Question

Q. India's consistent performance at International Science Olympiads reflects a strong talent-nurturing ecosystem. Discuss the role of institutions like HBCSE. (250 words, 15 marks)