India’s brightest young minds have once again proven their mettle on the world stage. At the 55th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2025, held in Paris from July 18 to 24, the Indian contingent clinched three gold and two silver medals, securing a joint fifth position globally. The event, one of the most prestigious science competitions for high school students, drew 415 participants from 87 countries.

Meet the Medalists

Representing the new wave of Indian scientific talent, the gold medal winners are:

Kanishk Jain from Pune, Maharashtra

Snehil Jha from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Adding to India’s stellar performance, the silver medals were bagged by:

Aagam Jignesh Shah from Surat, Gujarat

Rajit Gupta from Kota, Rajasthan

These students demonstrated exceptional theoretical and experimental skills in Physics, placing India on par with powerhouses like Taiwan, Japan, and Russia.

Behind the Brilliance

The Indian team was guided by a dedicated group of mentors. Prof. Sitikantha Das from IIT Kharagpur and Vinayak Katdare, retired faculty from DG Ruparel College, Mumbai, led the team. They were joined by scientific observers Dr. Amruta Sadhu (St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai) and Dr. Vivek Lohani (Robert Bosch GmbH, Germany), who played an instrumental role in supporting the participants through the demanding competition.

HBCSE: Nurturing India’s Olympiad Stars

India has enjoyed continued success at IPhO. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) at TIFR is the nodal body for the National Olympiad Programme in Physics and other sciences. It oversees a rigorous selection process, followed by intensive training camps to prepare the students for the global stage.

India’s track record at IPhO is impressive. In the 26 years of participation, 42% of Indian students have won gold, another 42% silver, with bronze medals and honourable mentions making up the rest. This year’s result adds to that legacy of excellence.

The Global Stage

While India stood proudly in fifth place, the USA topped the medal table with a clean sweep of five gold medals. South Korea, China, and Hong Kong followed, each with four golds and one silver. Notably, five countries also participated as observers, making IPhO 2025 one of the largest editions to date.

India’s success at the IPhO underscores the power of early scientific nurturing, mentorship, and national support. It also reflects the global nature of scientific pursuit—one that transcends borders and inspires the next generation of innovators. As these young champions return home, they carry not just medals but a promise of a brighter, smarter future.