Indian students have achieved a remarkable feat at the 55th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2025, held in Paris from 18 to 24 July, securing three gold and two silver medals. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), announced the stellar performance.
The gold medallists are Kanishk Jain from Pune, Maharashtra; Snehil Jha from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; and Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Aagam Jignesh Shah from Surat, Gujarat, and Rajit Gupta from Kota, Rajasthan, clinched the silver medals. The team, led by Professor Sitikantha Das of IIT Kharagpur and Vinayak Katdare, retired faculty from DG Ruparel College, Mumbai, was supported by scientific observers Dr Amruta Sadhu and Dr Vivek Lohani.
India ranked fifth in the global medal tally, alongside Taiwan, Japan, and Russia (competing under the Olympiad flag), with the USA leading with five golds. The competition saw 415 students from 87 countries, making it one of the largest IPhOs ever. India’s consistent excellence at the IPhO, marking its 26th participation, includes a 42% gold medal rate and a 100% medal record over the past decade.
Additionally, India excelled at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad in Australia, securing seventh place with three golds, two silvers, and one bronze, achieving a national record score of 193/252. The 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai also saw India claim two golds and two silvers, ranking sixth globally.
HBCSE’s rigorous selection and training process has been instrumental in nurturing India’s young talent, cementing the nation’s reputation as a powerhouse in global academic competitions.
