
InChO 2026: InChO is considered a highly regarded opportunity for aspiring chemists in India to get on the path to an international career in chemistry by giving them the chance to develop the skills necessary for success in the international chemistry competitions and to become part of India's very best students who are going to compete for an IChO medal.
Keeping track of important dates is crucial for any competitive examination, and the upcoming Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (InChO) 2026 is no exception.
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InChO 2026 Key Dates and Registration |
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Event |
Date |
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Registration Starts |
December, 2025 (Tentative) |
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31 January 2026 |
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Result Announcement |
February/March 2026 (Tentative) |
To partake in the demanding InChO 2026, candidates must fulfill a set of specific eligibility criteria that ensure a fair and competitive environment.
Nationality: Candidates must hold an Indian passport.
Age: Applicants must be born between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2010.
Educational Status: Participants must be studying and residing in India, without being enrolled in any degree program.
Qualification: A prerequisite for InChO is clearing the current year’s National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC).
Restriction: Students cannot appear for NSEJS (Junior Science) in the same academic year.
Academic Status: Candidates must not have completed their Class 12 board examinations before the InChO date.
Class: Eligible students are typically in Class 11 or 12, and must not have joined college or university.
The InChO syllabus extends beyond conventional school curricula, delving into advanced topics designed to assess a deep understanding of chemical principles.
Syllabus breakdown:
Physical Chemistry: Encompasses atomic structure, chemical bonding, equilibrium, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, solutions, solid state, and surface chemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry: Covers the periodic table, p-block, d & f-block elements, coordination compounds, and metallurgy.
Organic Chemistry: Explores reaction mechanisms, nomenclature, isomerism, hydrocarbons, carbonyls, aromatics, biomolecules, polymers, alkanes/alkenes/alkynes, alcohols, carbonyls, amines, and environmental chemistry.
Analytical & Practical Chemistry: Includes titration, gravimetry, qualitative, and instrumental analysis.
The InChO 2026 exam pattern focuses on a descriptive format, requiring students to articulate their knowledge and problem-solving methodologies with clarity and precision.
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InChO 2026 Exam Pattern |
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Paper Element |
Details |
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Type of Questions |
Descriptive (detailed written answers; no MCQs) |
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Marks |
~100 (as per official pattern) |
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Exam Duration |
3 hours |
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Medium |
English or Hindi (option chosen at registration) |
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Marking Scheme |
No negative marking; marks awarded for correct steps and logical reasoning |
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Mode |
Offline, descriptive, at designated centers |
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The Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (InChO) is a national-level chemistry exam for Class 11 and 12 students in India who qualify through NSEC. It acts as Stage 2 of the Chemistry Olympiad selection process, enabling students to vie for international representation at IChO, and is organised by IACT & HBCSE.
To be eligible for InChO 2026, students must meet specific criteria based on age, educational status, and prior qualification. This includes being in Class 11th or 12th (not yet joined college/university), born between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2010, holding an Indian passport, residing and studying in India, and having cleared the current year’s NSEC. Additionally, candidates cannot appear for NSEJS in the same academic year
The InChO 2026 syllabus covers advanced chemistry concepts derived from CBSE/NCERT Class 11 and 12 topics, incorporating higher-order concepts crucial for Olympiad-level rigor.
Registration for InChO 2026 is tentatively scheduled to open in December 2025. The InChO exam date is set for 31 January 2026, with result announcements expected in February/March 2026.