India achieved a joint World No. 1 ranking at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 . The competition took place in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from July 5 to July 12, 2026. Three hundred eighty-one students from 87 nations participated.
Indian Team Dominates
The five-member Indian team secured five Gold medals. This marks India's second time achieving a perfect Gold medal record. The first instance was in 2018. This accomplishment ties India with China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan for the top global rank.
The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE-TIFR) organized the national selection process. They also provided rigorous training for the students.
Team Members and Performance
The successful team members are:
| Student | City | State |
| Kanishk Jain | Pune | Maharashtra |
| Riddhesh Anant Bendale | Indore | Madhya Pradesh |
| Rishit Garg | Dwarka | New Delhi |
| Shresth Suraiya | Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| Svarit Joshi | Ahmedabad | Gujarat |
This success follows a decade of strong performance. India has secured Gold or Silver medals in the past ten years of IPhO participation. The competition includes demanding theoretical and experimental exams.
Exam Challenges
Participants faced a five-hour theoretical exam. Topics included thermodynamics of paramagnetic cooling and photoionization of ozone. They also completed a five-hour experimental exam. This exam focused on thermodynamic processes and heat transfer in fluids.
The Physics Olympiad Cell at HBCSE-TIFR in Mumbai prepared the team. This preparation ensured their readiness for the international competition.
