New Delhi: India has delivered an outstanding performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026 in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with all five members of its team winning gold medals.
The result helped India finish joint World No. 1 alongside China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan.
The competition saw the participation of 381 students from 87 countries, according to an official statement.
The Indian gold medallists are Kanishk Jain from Pune, Maharashtra; Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore, Madhya Pradesh; Rishit Garg from Dwarka, New Delhi; Shresth Suraiya from Mumbai, Maharashtra; and Svarit Joshi from Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The latest success extends India’s impressive record at the International Physics Olympiad, with every Indian participant over the past decade securing a podium finish.
The achievement reflects the strength of the country’s Olympiad programme, led by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
Backed by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), HBCSE identifies, trains and mentors talented pre-university students through a rigorous multi-stage selection process, orientation camps and specialised training.
Congratulating the team, DAE Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty said the achievement was a matter of immense pride for the nation.
He said winning five gold medals and sharing the World No. 1 ranking reflected the talent, dedication, and scientific temperament of the students, as well as the sustained efforts of the HBCSE-TIFR Olympiad programme.
Mohanty also congratulated the students, their parents, teachers, and mentors, saying the achievement would inspire more young minds to pursue excellence in science and further strengthen India’s leadership in scientific education and innovation.
The DAE also congratulated team leaders Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar of HBCSE-TIFR and Dr. Leena Joshi of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, as well as scientific observers Prof. Ananda Dasgupta of IISER Kolkata and Nisha Kelkar of Gogate-Joglekar College, Ratnagiri.
It also acknowledged the contribution of the HBCSE Physics Olympiad team and mentor pool.
HBCSE Director Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya said India’s consistent success in international science and mathematics Olympiads was the result of decades of patient mentoring and the Department of Atomic Energy’s continued support for nurturing young scientific talent.
The performance at IPhO 2026 once again highlights India’s growing strength in science education and its commitment to developing the next generation of scientists.
