Five Indian Students Selected for International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2025
Five talented Indian students have been selected to represent the country at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2025, scheduled to be held in Mumbai this August. The team was chosen during the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) held at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali.
Out of approximately 500 candidates who appeared for the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad, 54 students qualified for the camp based on their exam ranks. Among these, 37 participated in the intensive training and evaluation camp organized by IISER Mohali. After rigorous assessments, five students were finalized to form the national team.
Selected Students and Awards
The chosen students are Aarush Mishra, Sumant Gupta, Banibrata Majee, Panini, and Akshat Srivastava. These young astronomers will compete with peers worldwide, showcasing India’s growing prowess in astronomy and astrophysics.
Special recognitions were also awarded to outstanding performers during the camp. Aarush Mishra received the CL Bhat Memorial Award for overall excellence, while Sumant Gupta was honoured for the best score in the observational test. Akshat Srivastava earned two awards for his skills in theory and data analysis, marking him as a standout participant.
Training and Support from Leading Institutes
The OCSC training included practical sessions on telescope handling, sky observation, theoretical lectures, and problem-solving workshops. These comprehensive sessions were designed to enhance students' skills and deepen their understanding of astronomy.
Typically organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai, this year the responsibility shifted to IISER Mohali as HBCSE prepares to host IOAA 2025. The camp was supported by faculty and experts from prestigious institutions such as IIT Kanpur, NISER Bhubaneswar, and IUCAA Pune.
A notable highlight was a guest lecture by Professor Dipankar Bhattacharya from Ashoka University, who discussed the use of different wavebands in astronomy, enriching the students’ learning experience.
