INAO Exam Date 2026 Out: Check Schedule, Pattern And Admit Card Details
INAO Exam Date 2026 is scheduled on January 31, 2026 (9.00 am to 12.00 pm). HBCSE has released the official date and admit card a few days prior. Students qualifying for NSEA 2025 can appear for INAO 2026.
Priyanka Dahima24 Nov, 2025
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INAO Exam Date 2026 Out: The Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO) is one of India’s most prestigious science Olympiads, conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE). Every year, thousands of students compete for a chance to represent India at the International Astronomy Olympiad. With the NSEA 2025 cycle underway, aspirants are already searching for the INAO Exam Date 2026 and key updates.
Based on the timeline, the INAO Exam 2026 is scheduled on January 31, 2026, on a Saturday between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.
Stay tuned with the official HBCSE portal, https://secure.hbcse.tifr.res.in, for all the latest updates.
INAO Exam Date 2026 Out: Overview
HBCSE has confirmed the Olympiad exam date in the Science Olympiad Notification 2026. To familiarise themselves with the INAO Exam Pattern 2026, candidates should practice the INAO Previous Year Question Paper.
| INAO Exam Date 2026 Overview | |
| Organization | Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (affiliated with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research - HBCSE) |
| Exam Name | Indian National Astronomy (INAO 2026) |
| INAO Exam Date 2026 | 31st January 2026 (Saturday) between 9.00 am to 12.00 pm |
| Mode of Exam | Pen and Paper Mode (written exam) |
| Type of Questions | Both Subjective & Objective |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Negative Marking | For each wrong response, there will be negative marking. |
| Official Website | https://secure.hbcse.tifr.res.in |
Who Can Appear for INAO 2026?
Only students who qualify for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA 2025) are eligible for INAO.
The list of selected students is usually published on www.iapt.org.in
From INAO, successful students progress to:
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OCSC – Orientation Cum Selection Camp
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PDT – Pre-Departure Training
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International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO)
INAO Exam Pattern 2026
The INAO exam pattern is expected to remain the same as in previous years:
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Total Duration: 3 hours
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Total Marks: 100
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Language: English & Hindi
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Question Types: Subjective + Objective
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Negative Marking: 1/3rd for wrong answers
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Total Questions: 6 major questions with sub-parts
Each question requires clear reasoning, calculations, and proof-based answers.
INAO Admit Card 2026
The INAO Admit Card 2026 will be issued a few days before the exam on the official HBCSE portal. Only students who register after qualifying for NSEA will be able to download the hall ticket.
Students without the hall ticket are not allowed inside the exam hall.
Preparation Tips for INAO 2026
Here are practical strategies for performing well:
1. Strengthen Your Basics
Master fundamental concepts in Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy before attempting advanced problems.
2. Practice INAO Previous Years Papers
They help you understand marking style and question difficulty.
3. Improve Problem-Solving Speed
Time-bound practice is essential because questions are both conceptual and calculation-heavy.
4. Explore Astronomy Beyond Textbooks
Watch lectures, read popular astronomy books, and track current astronomical events.
5. Revise NSEA Syllabus Thoroughly
Since INAO questions build upon NSEA topics, revision is crucial.