Indian National Physics Olympiad

Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO)

The Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO) is one of the prestigious examination for school students in India, in order to recognize, identify and nurture outstanding young physicists. It is also the entry point for students who are going forward to represent India at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) involving the best minds from all over the world. The Olympiad is conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and allows for an assessment of students who possess a passion for physics and gives exceptional students more challenges by broadening their analytical and problem-solving skills.

At Origin Educare, our mission is to equip students to take this exam by providing systematic learning, conceptual clarity, and mentorship from leading experts so they can be suitably prepared for the exams high standards.

About INPhO

The INPhO is not just a simple academic competition, rather germination of innovative thinkers, problem-solvers and future scientists. The Olympiad serves two major functions.

Selection – Shortlist Indian students who will represent India at International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
Skill Development – Interest in new concepts in physics while developing creativity and furthering reflective judgment.

Each year, thousands of students compete in this national exam, but only the most accomplished candidates advance to compete on the world stage.

Stages of the INPhO Program

To reduced the student pool, the INPhO will have various stages:

National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP):
- This is the first stage of the Physics Olympiad process.
- This is a multiple-choice exam given at a national level.
- Thousands of students in India will take this test.
Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO):
- From the NSEP students can qualify for INPhO.
- An advanced and difficult examination that is more theoretical
Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp (OCSC):
- A camp run by HBCSE.
- Students are trained both theoretically and experimentally.
- The top 5 students are selected to to represent India at the IPhO.
International Physics Olympiad (IPhO):
- This is the final stage.
- Selected Indian students will then compete with their peers globally in an international setting.

The selection process is lengthy and rigorous to ensure only those adequately prepared will reach the global setting.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who are eligible to be considered for the INPhO 2025 must meet the eligibility criteria below:

Must be an Indian citizen or have an Indian passport.
Date of birth: July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2010.
Must be studying in Class X, XI, or XII on November 30, 2024.
Shouldn t have passed Class XII before the 30th of November 2024.
Must have lived and studied in India since the 30th of November 2022.

Important Dates (Tentative)

NSEP 2025 (Stage 1): November, 2025
INPhO 2026 (Stage 2): February, 2026
Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp (OCSC): May–June, 2026
International Physics Olympiad (IPhO): July, 2026, France

Exam Centers

The INPhO exams are held in major cities in India. They are held in cities such as:

Ahmedabad
Bengaluru
Ranchi
Bhopal
Bhubaneswar
Chandigarh
Chennai
Delhi
Guwahati
Hyderabad
Mumbai
Jaipur
Kochi
Kolkata
Kota
Lucknow
Nagpur
Patna

This wide network ensures accessibility for students nationwide.

Selection Process

1. NSEP (Stage 1)

Exam Structure:
- 48 multiple-choice questions with one correct response
- 12 multiple-choice questions with one or more correct responses

2. INPhO (Stage 2)

Approximately 400 students (200 from Class XII and 200 from Class XI/X) shortlisted. Selected by:
- Minimum Admissible Score or (MAS)
- Merit Index or (MI)
- Proportional Representation (i.e., from each state)
- Supernumerary Quota for Female Students
- International Representation Clause

3. OCSC (Stage 3)

Top 40 students from INPhO invited.
The students are given theoretical and experimental training.
The top 5 students from OCSC are selected to represent India at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).

INPhO 2025 Examination Overview

Particulars	Details
Host	Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE)
Exam Name	Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO) 2025
Exam Date	February 2026 (Tentative)
Registration	Done after NSEP qualification
Application Fee	₹300
Application Mode	Online
Duration	3 Hours
Language	English & Hindi
Total Questions	6
Total Marks	80

Exam Pattern

The purpose of the INPho exam is to measure conceptual understanding, problem solving and understanding of Physics knowledge.

Duration: 3 hours
Type of questions: Descriptive/Theoretical problems.
Syllabus: CBSE Class XI and XII Physics topics as well as higher order applications.
Total Marks: 80

Detailed Syllabus for INPhO 2025

With respect to thrust areas, the syllabus presents a more general coverage of the CBSE Class XI and XII Physics syllabus but the questions are often above the textbooks and demand more of a conceptual grasp.

1. Mechanics

Kinematics of a point body.
Newton’s Laws.
Work, Power, Energy.
Momentum & Conservation Laws.
Gravitational Laws & Kepler’s Laws.

2. Mechanics of Rigid Bodies

Rotational motion, Torque, Center of Mass.
Angular Velocity, Angular Momentum, Conservation Laws.
Moment of inertia, Rigid body motion.

3. Thermodynamics & Molecular Physics

Laws of Thermodynamics.
Kinetic theory of gases.
Work, heat, entropy, Carnot cycle.

4. Oscillations and Waves

Simple harmonic motion.
Wave propagation.
Sound waves, Doppler effect.
Superposition, interference, beats.

5. Electromagnetism

Coulomb’s law, Gauss’s law.
Current electricity, Ohm’s law.
Kirchhoff’s law, magnetic fields.
Induction, AC circuits.

6. Optics & Electromagnetic Waves

Wave optics – diffraction, interference.
Polarization, resonance.
Electromagnetic spectrum.

7. Quantum Physics & Relativity

Photoelectric Effect.
De Broglie Wave Length, Uncertainty Principle.
Relativity (the concept of energy-mass equivalence).
Basics of Nuclear-Solar Physics.

Training for INPhO

Students will undergo intensive training at HBCSE before arriving at the IPhO for OCSC students (who qualify). The training would usually consist of three elements:

Theory Problem Solving.
Experimental Components.
Inaugurating Logical-mindness and research-intent.

Key Features of INPhO

Academic Excellence: Identify and develop exceptional talents in physics.
Skill development: Acquire analytical, theoretical and experimental problem solving.
Geography of the opportunity: This is in the likelihood that you represent India in the international physics olympiad.
Exposure: Gains self-confidence in solving real-life scientific problems.

Why Choose Origin Educare for INPhO Preparation?

At Origin Educare, we specialize in student mentoring in Olympiad level events such as INPhO. Here’s why students prefer us:
- Qualified Faculty: Teachers who are experienced and who have knowledge on the Olympiad exam pattern.
- Holistic Curriculum:CBSE + Olympiad advanced syllabus.
- Practice and Mock Tests: Practice tests of former Olympiad papers.
- Individual Instruction: One on one instruction to dispel uncertainty and reinforce ideas.
- Performance Tracking: Frequent evaluation to measure progress.
- Result-Oriented: Organized training: NSEP, INPhO, OCSC, IPhO.
we do not only focus on ensuring that students qualify but also perform at the international standard.

FAQs

Who conducts the INPhO exam?

The INPhO is conducted by (under the guidance of), Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR.

Can Class X students apply for INPhO?

Yes, Class X students can participate if eligible.

How many students are selected for the OCSC?

Around 40 students from the INPhO are selected for OCSC.

What is the fee for the INPhO exam?

The application fee is ₹300

Where will IPhO 2025 be held?

The 2025 international physics olympiad (IPhO) will be in France in July 2025.