Five Indian students won gold medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, helping India secure the joint top position alongside Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Taiwan in one of the world's most prestigious competitions for school students.
The Indian contingent delivered a flawless performance, with all five participants earning gold medals. They competed against 381 students from 87 countries, making the achievement a significant milestone for India.
The gold medal winners are Kansisk Jain from Pune, Riddhesh Anant Bendale from Indore, Rishit Garg from Delhi, Shresth Suraiya from Mumbai and Svait Joshi from Ahmedabad.
With every member of the team winning gold, India emerged as one of the highest-performing countries at this year's Olympiad.
The result reflects India's growing strength in science and mathematics education at the international level. Finishing alongside countries renowned for their strong scientific education systems underscores the rigorous preparation and commitment of the Indian team.
The students were mentored by Professor Anwesh Mazumdar of HBCSE-TIFR, Dr. Leena Joshi, and scientific observers Professor Ananda Dasgupta of IISER Kolkata and Ms. Nisha Kelkar, whose guidance played a key role in the team's success.
India joins the world's top-performing nations
The International Physics Olympiad is an annual global competition that brings together some of the brightest high school students from across the world. Participants are evaluated through demanding theoretical and experimental examinations that test their knowledge of physics, analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.
Before representing India, the students underwent several months of intensive training that included advanced physics instruction, laboratory experiments and regular practice sessions under expert supervision.
The achievement has been widely welcomed by the academic community and education experts, who said it highlights the ability of Indian students to compete successfully with the world's best young scientists.
The International Physics Olympiad also provides participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas, interact with peers from different countries and promote scientific learning and international cooperation.
India has consistently performed well at international science Olympiads, and this year's result adds another significant achievement to the country's record.
Winning five gold medals and finishing among the joint top-ranked nations is expected to encourage more students to pursue science and participate in international academic competitions.
The Indian team's performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad marks another proud moment for the country, showcasing the talent, dedication and perseverance of its young scientists.
