
InChO 2026: INO Exam 2026 registration has commenced for NSE 2025 qualifiers, including INChO 2026, running from January 6 to 17, 2026 via secure.hbcse.tifr.res.in/ino using NSE roll number, DOB, and email. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) organizes this stage of Indian National Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Junior Science, with INChO exam on February 1, 2026, from 13:30 to 16:30. Qualifiers select exam centers during registration, but changes are not permitted post-deadline, leading to Orientation-Cum-Selection Camps (OCSC). Top performers advance to International Olympiads, making timely registration essential for chemistry enthusiasts.
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 Dates |
January 6 to 17, 2026 |
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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.
INO Exam 2026 registration has commenced for NSE 2025 qualifiers, including INChO 2026, running from January 6 to 17, 2026 and exam on February 1, 2026.