Stages of International Chemistry Olympiad

The National Science Olympiad starts with the examination of nearly 1400 schools participating across the country. This culminates into the IChO., which is held at a global level. The main aim of these examinations is to assess the conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, laboratory skills, and above all, ability to apply problem-solving skills to novel situations, both theoretical and experimental. The training is included from the third stage of the programme and two stages do not necessarily require any specialised coaching outside the regular school system.

Stage 1: National Standard Examination

The first stage examination, the National Standard Examination (NSE) is the organisational responsibility of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). The NSEs are tests with objective test pattern and are offered in English and Hindi, with additional languages by IAPT itself. The syllabus is equivalent to up to std. 12 of the CBSE. However, the questions can be of a higher difficulty level at different stages of the Olympiads. These exams are held close to the end of November every year at nearly 1400 centres across the nation. Students can register for this preliminary stage at their own schools. The registration fee of Rs.100 is the only fee which a student has to pay in the entire process up to the international Olympiads.

Stage 2: Indian National Olympiad (INO)

The best-performing students from the NSE (approximately 300) qualify for the second stage, which is the Indian National Olympiad (INO). The responsibility of the programme from this stage onwards lies with the HBCSE. The INO is held in late January at about 18 centres across the country. The syllabus is the same as that of the NSE. The test consists of objective as well as long questions.

Stage 3: Orientation cum Scholarship Camp

The top students from the INO (approximately 35) are invited for the third stage, the Orientation-cum-selection camps are held at the HBCSE during April to June. At these camps orientation is provided to students for the Olympiad level of theoretical, experiment tasks with the emphasis on developing conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills. Students are exposed to different innovative experiments with the aim on building the conceptual and procedural understanding. Various tests are conducted at the camps, on the basis of which a few students are selected to represent India at the International Olympiads.

Stage 4: Pre-Departure Camp

The selected team undergoes various rigorous workshops for 8-10 days prior to the departure for the IChO at the HBCSE. Special laboratories have been developed in HBCSE for this purpose. Resource persons from different institutions across the country are invited to the training camps.

Stage 5: International Olympiad

Finally, this culminates into the IMO, along with the team, 4 teachers or mentors are sent.

Who is Eligible for IChO?

The candidates are required to appear for the NSE before they appear for the International Olympiad. The eligibility criterion for the IChO is given below:

• Must be an Indian citizen.
• Date of birth between 1 July 1998 and 30 June 2003, both days inclusive.
• Must not have completed (or scheduled to complete) class 12 board examination earlier than 30 November 2017.
• Must not have commenced (or planning to commence) studies in a university or equivalent institution by 1 June, 2018. 
• Must not be appearing in NSEJS 2017.

It would be solely the candidate’s responsibility to see to it that he/she meets the eligibility norms if not he/she is liable to disqualification.

Syllabus for International Chemistry Olympiad

The syllabus of the competition contains subjects from several areas of chemistry, including organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and spectroscopy. Though some of these subjects are included in most secondary school chemistry programs, for the most part, they are evaluated at a much deeper level and many may require a level of knowledge and understanding comparable to that of post-secondary education. In addition, the host country of each IChO issues a set of preparatory problems well in advance of the competition every year. These preparatory problems cover specific topics in considerable more depth than typical post-secondary education. Preparation for the International Chemistry Olympiad demands a high level of understanding and interest in chemistry and an outstanding ability to relate chemical subjects with one another as well as with the practical world.

Download the official syllabus of International Chemistry Olympiad here:

Sample papers – International Chemistry Olympiad

IChO has 2 sets of papers, i.e. Theoretical and Practical. Download the question papers+solutions below.