Science Education

India has once again showcased its scientific prowess on the global stage, securing two gold and two silver medals at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025, held in Dubai, UAE, from July 5 to 14. The event brought together 354 students from 90 nations, along with representatives from five observer countries. This year marks India’s 26th consecutive participation in the IChO, and the team’s outstanding performance earned the country sixth place in the overall medal standings, alongside nations like Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Israel. The gold medals were clinched by Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, and Sandeep Kuchi from Hyderabad, Telangana. Debadatta Priyadarshi of Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, and Ujjwal Kesari of New Delhi were awarded silver medals. The Indian contingent was groomed and guided by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai, under the aegis of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). HBCSE is the nodal agency responsible for organizing and conducting Olympiads in India. Students are selected through a rigorous multi-stage process beginning with the National Olympiad Examinations. The mentorship team for IChO 2025 featured Prof Ankush Gupta (Head Mentor, HBCSE), Prof Seema Gupta (Acharya Narendra Dev College, Delhi), and Scientific Observers Dr Neeraja Dashaputre (IISER Pune) and Dr Amrit Mitra (Government General Degree College, Singur, West Bengal). Prior to departure, the students received in-depth training through specialized camps at HBCSE. India has a strong legacy at the IChO, consistently performing well since its debut. Statistically, Indian participants have bagged 30% gold, 53% silver, and 17% bronze medals across all editions. The past decade has seen a noticeable improvement, with 38% of the medals being gold and 58% silver, reflecting the country’s growing strength in competitive science. The Indian team’s participation is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the National Steering Committee on Science Olympiads and key government bodies, including the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Space (DOS), and the Ministry of Education (MoE), which continue to provide critical funding and policy support. India’s stellar performance at IChO 2025 underscores the effectiveness of its science education initiatives and the dedication of its young scientific minds. Source: Indian Express