ArdorComm Media News Network
July 15, 2026
India delivered an outstanding performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, with all five members of its national team securing gold medals. The achievement placed India in the joint first position alongside China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan at the prestigious global competition, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia. This year’s Olympiad featured 381 students representing 87 countries.
According to the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a constituent unit of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), this marks India’s 27th appearance at the International Physics Olympiad. The country has maintained an impressive record over the past decade, with every Indian participant returning home with either a gold or silver medal.
India’s Gold Medal Winners
The five students who brought home gold medals are:
- Kanishk Jain – Pune, Maharashtra
- Riddhesh Anant Bendale – Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Rishit Garg – Dwarka, New Delhi
- Shresth Suraiya – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Svarit Joshi – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The Indian delegation was led by Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar from HBCSE-TIFR and Dr. Leena Joshi of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. The team was supported by scientific observers Prof. Ananda Dasgupta of IISER Kolkata and Ms. Nisha Kelkar from Gogate-Joglekar College.
Before competing internationally, the students underwent intensive preparation under the Physics Olympiad Cell at HBCSE. Their training included specialized orientation sessions and pre-departure camps conducted by experienced faculty members and Olympiad mentors.
The International Physics Olympiad is regarded as one of the most prestigious science competitions for secondary school students worldwide, testing participants through challenging theoretical and experimental physics examinations. India’s clean sweep of gold medals in the 2026 edition further strengthens its reputation as one of the world’s leading performers in international science Olympiads.
Source: Indian Express