Indian Students Win Five Medals at Junior Astronomy Olympiad

Indian students won five medals, including two golds, at the 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-Jr) 2026. The competition was held in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, from 1 to 8 November. India’s five-member contingent competed with 104 students from 25 countries.

Indian medal winners

Siddharth Laxmisha of Aditya Vidyashram Residential School, Puducherry, and Swara Srujal Patel of the School of Excellence, Gujarat, won gold medals. Aarna Chaplot of Maa Bharti Senior Secondary School, Kota, and Krish Bhaskar of KS International Academy, Bagar, both from Rajasthan, won silver. Akshara Gulab Ambone of Lords Public School, Maharashtra, secured bronze.

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) facilitated India’s participation and the students’ preparation. NCSM Director General K. S. Murali congratulated the students and praised their dedication, scientific aptitude and perseverance.

Important Facts for Exams

• Junior age eligibility: The inaugural IOAA-Jr was for students under 16; the second edition lowered the age limit to under 15.
• Parent Olympiad format: The parent IOAA has theoretical, data-analysis and observational exams, plus a separate mixed-nationality team contest whose results do not affect individual standings.
• NCSM institutional status: Founded in 1978, NCSM is an autonomous scientific organisation under India’s Ministry of Culture, rather than an agency of the Ministry of Education.
• Mobile science exhibitions: NCSM’s Mobile Science Exhibition programme uses specially equipped buses to bring science exhibits to rural and remote communities.