IAAC 2026-27: Eligibility, Registration, Dates, Syllabus, Results and More

The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) 2027 is an international online competition for high school and university students interested in astronomy and astrophysics. The competition features three rounds: Qualification, Pre-Final, and Final.

Based on the IAAC previous year timetable, the IAAC 2027 competition is expected to follow a similar timeline, with the Qualification Round likely beginning in April, the Pre-Final Round in May or June, and the Final Round in June or July. Students should check the official IAAC website for the confirmed IAAC 2027 dates when the new timetable is released. 

IAAC 2026 Notification PDF

What Was IAAC 2026-27?

The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) was an online competition that tested students on astronomy, astrophysics, and scientific problem-solving. Students from different school and university levels could participate based on the prescribed age and education criteria.

The 2026 edition consisted of three rounds with increasing levels of challenge. The Pre-Final Round also included a research paper that participants had to read before attempting a research-based problem.

Key Features of IAAC 2026-27

• Open to eligible high school and university students

• Online participation

• Three competition rounds

• Astronomy and astrophysics-based problems

• Research-paper-based problem in the Pre-Final Round

• Certificates and honours for participants and finalists

• Cash prizes and other awards for selected winners

IAAC 2026-27 Eligibility

IAAC 2026-27 will be opened for current high school and university students from different countries. Participants will be divided into three age groups.

The age or grade on the Qualification Round submission deadline determined the participant's category for the entire competition. Students on a gap year between high school and university could also participate if they planned to start university soon.

IAAC 2026-27 Registration

The IAAC Qualification Round is conducted online through the official IAAC website. Based on the 2026 registration process, students can expect the following steps for IAAC 2027:

• Create an account on the official IAAC website.

• Access the Qualification Round problems.

• Prepare solutions for the given problems.

• Submit solutions online before the deadline.

• Complete separate registration if selected for the Pre-Final Round.

The IAAC 2027 registration dates are yet to be officially announced. Based on the 2026 schedule, the Qualification Round submission deadline may fall around April 2027.

In 2026, the Qualification Round was free, while students qualifying for the Pre-Final Round had to complete a separate registration process. Students should check the official 2027 instructions for the applicable registration process..

IAAC 2026-27 Exam Pattern

IAAC 2026-27 consisted of three rounds:

Qualification Round

The Qualification Round included five problems worth 5 points each. Participants solved the problems at home and submitted their solutions online.

The minimum scores required to qualify for the Pre-Final Round were:

• Junior: 15 points

• Youth: 17 points

• Senior: 20 points

The submission deadline will be expected for dates April 17, 2027.

Pre-Final Round

The Pre-Final Round was a 60-minute supervised online examination. Participants could take the exam at any point during the examination window from May 31 to June 2, 2027 (Expected timeline).

Before the exam, the research paper may be released on May 29, 2027. Participants expected to read and understand the paper as part of their preparation.

The Pre-Final Round included:

• A 60-minute supervised examination

• Astronomy and astrophysics problems

• A research-based problem

• Research paper-based preparation

• Online submission of solutions

The Pre-Final Round results are expected to be announced on June 15, 2027.

Final Round

The Final Round will be conducted as a supervised online examination on June 30, 2027.

It included around 30 questions and short problems covering astronomy, astrophysics, problem-solving skills, and topics from the earlier rounds, including the Pre-Final research paper. The exam lasted around 30 minutes.

IAAC 2026-27 Important Dates

The IAAC 2026-27 competition followed a three-round schedule from the Qualification Round in April to the Final Round and result announcement in July 2027.

All dates in the official IAAC timetable are given according to 23:59 UTC+0, unless otherwise specified.

IAAC 2026-27 Syllabus and Topics

IAAC focused on astronomy and astrophysics concepts along with scientific and mathematical problem-solving.

The Qualification Round problems covered areas such as cosmic distances and astronomical objects, while other questions required participants to apply concepts related to eclipses and relativity.

Students preparing for IAAC could therefore revise:

Astronomy Topics

• Astronomical objects

• Cosmic distances

• Stars

• Planetary systems

• Eclipses

• Light and observations

• Galaxies

• Celestial phenomena

Astrophysics Topics

• Stellar evolution

• Relativity

• Black holes

• Cosmology

• Exoplanets

• Astrophysical calculations

• Research-based astronomy and astrophysics

The exact questions varied by round, so preparation required conceptual understanding and problem-solving, rather than memorising a fixed list of topics.

How to Prepare for IAAC

Students preparing for a future IAAC edition can use the following approach:

• Build Strong Astronomy Basics: Start with fundamental astronomy concepts such as stars, planets, celestial objects, light, distances, and astronomical observations.

• Revise Physics and Mathematics: Strengthen the physics and mathematics concepts needed to solve astronomy and astrophysics problems. Focus on understanding formulas and applying them to unfamiliar situations.

• Practise IAAC Problems: Solve previous IAAC problems to become familiar with the question style and level of application required.

• Read Scientific Material: The Pre-Final Round included a research paper. Regularly reading simple scientific papers and astronomy resources can help students understand technical information and research-based questions.

• Practise Time Management: The Pre-Final Round had a 60-minute exam, while the Final Round lasted around 30 minutes. Practising questions under time limits can help improve speed and accuracy.

IAAC 2026-27 Results

The IAAC 2027 results will be announced after each stage of the competition.

Based on the 2026 schedule:

• Qualification Round results were announced in May.

• Pre-Final Round results were announced in June.

• Final Round results were announced in July.

Therefore, IAAC 2027 final results are tentatively expected in July 2027, subject to the official timetable.

Students should use their IAAC accounts and official competition resources to access relevant result and certificate information.

IAAC 2026-27 Prizes and Awards

IAAC recognises participants through participation certificates, finalist honours, national awards, school awards, and prizes for selected high-performing finalists.

The 2026 competition offered cash prizes and telescope-based prizes across the Junior, Youth, and Senior categories. The exact IAAC 2027 prize structure is yet to be confirmed and should be checked after the official announcement.

Finalists could also receive Bronze, Silver, or Gold Honours, while participants were eligible for official participation certificates.

Note: The above details are based on the 2026 competition and should not be treated as confirmed IAAC 2027 until the official 2027 information is released.