
INPhO 2026 Question Paper: The Indian National Physics Olympiad 2026 marks a prestigious national-stage competition for young scientific minds, exclusively for students who excel in the National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEJS, Stage 1). As the pivotal second phase of the Physics Olympiad pipeline, it identifies top talent for international representation at the International Physics Olympiad.
Organized by the renowned Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), the exam is set for Sunday, February 1, 2026 in offline mode across designated centers. Eligible participants typically Classes 8-10 students (born on/after July 1, 2011), face a rigorous 3-hour test blending multiple-choice questions.
Top performers (~500-600) advance to the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC), where intensive training refines skills for final IJSO team selection (4 gold, 4 silver medals). The syllabus aligns with Classes 9-10 NCERT. This Olympiad fosters scientific temperament, critical thinking, and global competitiveness. Aspirants should practice past HBCSE papers, revise fundamentals, and manage time effectively.
The INPHO 2026 examination overview table captures key details vital for aspirants, including exam date, eligibility (Class 12 students under age limits), syllabus (Class 11-12 physics: mechanics to modern physics), format (MCQ + long problems, 3 hours), and selection process to national camp and IPhO.
This concise summary equips candidates with essentials: registration via NSE, scoring (no negatives), top ranks advancing internationally.
| INPhO 2026 Question Paper Overview | |
|---|---|
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) |
| Session/Term | 2026 |
| INPhO 2026 Question Paper Released | To be released Soon |
| Exam Date(s) | February 1, 2026 |
INPHO stands for Indian National Physics Olympiad, the national-level Stage 2 exam in India's selection process for the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). Candidates can download the official INPHO 2026 Question Paper PDF directly from the HBCSE website once released. The PDF link will be made available here shortly after its official publication. Stay tuned for the updated download access following the exam.
Study without using the internet
Candidates preparing for future Olympiads or self-assessment should visit the official HBCSE Olympiad portal (olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in) and navigate directly to the "Past Papers" section. Here, they can easily locate and download the INPHO 2026 Question Paper in PDF format once uploaded post-exam.
This comprehensive digital copy includes all questions from both Section I (MCQs) and Section II (long-answer problems), mirroring the actual exam structure. It serves as an invaluable resource for:
Analyzing question patterns and difficulty levels.
Practicing time-bound solving under exam conditions.
Identifying weak areas in physics concepts like mechanics, electromagnetism, and modern physics.
Benchmarking performance against top national qualifiers.
The INPHO 2026 Question Paper serves as a vital resource for both current participants and prospective aspirants for several reasons. It helps students gauge their performance and strategize for future academic pursuits.
Accuracy Check: It enables students to compare their answers against the provisional solutions released by HBCSE.
Selection Roadmap: High scores in this paper are crucial for selecting the top 35-40 students for the Orientation Cum Selection Camp (OCSC).
Concept Clarity: The questions highlight core areas and important concepts frequently tested in science competitions.
Score Estimation: Students can estimate their expected marks by applying the official marking scheme.
Regular practice using the official INPHO 2026 Question Paper provides numerous strategic advantages for young science enthusiasts. This practice enhances preparedness and boosts confidence.
Pattern Familiarity: Students become accustomed to the balance between single-correct, multiple-correct, and subjective question types.
Time Management: Practicing the paper under timed conditions helps students prepare for the pressure of a real examination setting.
Mistake Analysis: It assists in identifying specific weak areas across subjects, such as genetics or mechanics, allowing for targeted improvement.
Boosts Confidence: Successfully tackling national-level problems significantly contributes to a student's academic morale, which is beneficial for other exams, including board examinations.
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