India achieved its best-ever performance at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2026 . All four Indian students secured gold medals. The competition took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 10 to July 19, 2026 .
India tied for first place in the country-wise medal tally. They shared the top position with China, Vietnam, and individual participants from Russia's Group B. This year's IChO was the largest ever. It featured 363 students from 93 countries.
Gold Medal Winners
The four Indian students who won gold medals are:
| Student | Area | Medal |
| Debadatta Priyadarshi | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Gold |
| Harshit Singla | Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab | Gold |
| Kabeer Chillar | Delhi | Gold |
| Sandeep Kuchi | Hyderabad, Telangana | Gold |
Competition Details
The 58th IChO included theoretical and practical exams. These assessed advanced chemistry knowledge. Topics covered reaction kinetics, porous framework materials, nitrogen fixation, and carbon dioxide reduction. Other subjects included cyclocarbons, stereochemistry, and phosphoesters. The practical section focused on lab activities and analytical techniques.
India's Olympiad History
This was India's 27th participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad. The country has shown an upward trend in performance over the last decade. This year, 43% of India's medals were gold. Silver medals accounted for 53% of the total.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) acknowledged support from several bodies. These include the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) also contributed. External mentors and the National Steering Committee on Science Olympiads were key. Various teacher organizations also supported the team's preparation.
