India Shines at IOAA-Jr 2026 with Two Golds and Five-Medal Haul in Thailand

The Indian contingent of five students achieved a remarkable 100 per cent medal success rate, earning two gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal against strong international competition.

The event brought together 104 talented students from 25 countries, showcasing excellence in astronomy and astrophysics.

The gold medal winners were Siddharth Laxmisha from Aditya Vidyashram Residential School, Puducherry, and Swara Srujal Patel from the School of Excellence, Gujarat.

Silver medals were awarded to Aarna Chaplot of Maa Bharti Senior Secondary School, Kota, and Krish Bhaskar of KS International Academy, Rajasthan.

Akshara Gulab Ambone from Lords Public School, Maharashtra, secured the bronze medal.

India’s participation was coordinated by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), which conducted a rigorous selection process and provided extensive training to the students in astronomy, observational techniques, and analytical problem-solving.

Congratulating the team, NCSM Director General K. S. Murali praised the students for their dedication, hard work, and outstanding achievement on the international stage.

He noted that their success reflects India’s growing strength in scientific education and research.

The medal winners also acknowledged the support of their mentors, trainers, and institutions.

They emphasised that the Olympiad provided a valuable platform to learn from peers across the world while expanding their knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics.

India’s stellar performance at IOAA-Jr 2026 highlights the country’s emerging talent in space science and reinforces the importance of nurturing young scientific minds through global academic competitions.