National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India is the Authorized National Representative (Astronomical) Organization (ANRAO) for organising International Astronomy (Junior) Programme in India. The Council is responsible for selecting the team of 3 students to represent India at the International Astronomy (Junior) Olympiad. This will be done through the Indian National Astronomy (Junior) Olympiad (INAO-Jr) programme.
About NCSM
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) is an autonomous scientific body functioning under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It administers 25 Science Centres/Museums spread all over India. To know more about NCSM, please click here. The Astronomy Olympiad Programme (Junior) is fully funded by NCSM.
INAO (Jr.) – 2023
This year’s INAO (Jr) -2023 is being coordinated by Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, a unit of National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
Selection Process / Stages of Astronomy Olympiad (Junior):
The National Science Olympiad starts with an examination held at schools across the country and culminates with the International Astronomy Olympiad at different corners of the world. The national level examination is designed to assess conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, and above all, the ability to apply problem-solving skills to novel situations, both theoretical and observational. Training is included from the third stage of the programme i.e., OCSC and the first two stages do not necessarily require any specialised coaching outside the regular school system. Every year the selection process involves FIVE stages as follows:
Stage –I: The first stage examination, the National Standard Examination (NSE) is the organisational responsibility of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). National Standard Examination in Junior Science (NSEJS) conducted by IAPT is the first stage for the International Astronomy Olympiad in the junior category. Indian students of Class X or lower as of November 30, 2022, born between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009 are eligible for the test.
Stage – II: The best-performing students from the NSEJS qualify for the second stage — the Indian National Olympiad–Junior Science (INOJS). Candidates for INJSO 2023 are automatically eligible for consideration for the next stages of selection of the Indian team for the International Astronomy Olympiad – Junior. The selection for the next stages of this programme will be based on performance in INJSO-2023 among candidates who express their interest in this programme during INO registration. The responsibility of the programme from this stage onwards lies with NCSM.
RESULT for the third stage Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC):
The list of selected students for the OCSC is uploaded here and all the selected students will be informed (by post/e-mail) about the dates, venue, and other details of the OCSC.
Stage – III: The selected 20 students from the INOJS will be invited for the third stage Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) to be held at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, during May 8 – 14, 2023. At the camp, students will be oriented for Olympiad-level theoretical, problem solving, data analysis, and observational tasks. Emphasis will be on developing conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills, and students will be trained in the basics of astronomy, astronomical data analysis and night sky observation. Several theoretical and observational tests will be held during the camp. On the basis of performance in these tests, 3 students will be selected to represent India at the 2nd International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-Jr.) 2023 to be held at Volos, Greece during 24th – 30th September 2023. Resource persons from different institutions across the country will be invited to the training camps as mentors.
Stage- IV: The selected Indian team undergo a rigorous training programme at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, in theoretical & observational astronomy to brush up on their knowledge received at OCSC for the final preparation prior to their departure for the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-Jr.) 2023.
Stage – V: The Olympiad programme culminates with the participation of the Indian students in the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-Jr.) 2023. The students are accompanied by Team Leader, Jury, and/or Scientific Observer. Almost every Indian student who has participated in the Astronomy Olympiad has returned with a medal.
Address for communication:
Nehru Science Centre, Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 018
Email: jr.astro.olympiad.ncsm@gmail.com
Telephone Landline : +91 22 2490 0518, 2492 0482, 2496 9568, 2084 4335
Contact Person: Dr. Anindita Mondal, Curator (+91-22-2490 0518– Ext 204)
Web:https://nehrusciencecentre.gov.in/
