International Social Studies Olympiad, Eligibility, Syllabus

International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO) is a national-level exam held every year by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). The exam is open to students from Classes 3 to 10 across various education boards.

The Olympiad helps students improve their understanding of social science topics while also developing their thinking and reasoning skills. The exam follows the syllabus of CBSE, ICSE, and state boards, and includes both basic and higher-order questions. 

International Social Studies Olympiad Overview

Below is an overview of the important details of the ISSO Exam 2025–26. This will help students understand the exam format and how it is conducted.

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International Social Studies Olympiad Exam Dates 2025-26

ISSO 2025–26 exam will be held on two different dates. Schools can choose either of the dates based on their convenience. The results will be declared a few weeks after the exam.

Below is the schedule for the ISSO 2025–26 exam:

International Social Studies Olympiad Eligibility

To take part in the ISSO Exam 2025–26 students must meet certain eligibility rules. The exam is open to students studying in Classes 3 to 10. They must be enrolled in schools that are affiliated with CBSE, ICSE or any recognized state board. 

There are no extra qualifications or age limits. Any student from the eligible classes who is interested in social studies can apply through their school.

Olympiad Preperation Tips

SilverZone ISSO Syllabus 

ISSO Exam 2025–26 syllabus is created to test a student's understanding of important topics in social sciences, including history, geography, civics, and economics. 

Below is the class-wise syllabus for the International Social Studies Olympiad:

Olympiad Toppers & Achivers

How to Apply for ISSO?

To take part in the International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO) students must go through a simple application process. The registration is usually done through schools. Here are the steps:

Registration of Students

• Schools can register as exam centers for SOF ISSO Level 1 at no extra cost.

• Registered schools receive a prospectus with forms from SOF.

• Non-registered schools can request the prospectus through email or phone.

• The school must fill out the forms and send them to SOF before the deadline.

Roll Numbers

• The school coordinating teacher fills the School Registration Form (SRF) and Students’ Registration Sheet (SRS).

• These are sent to SOF to generate roll numbers for each student.

Registration Fee

• Students from India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh must pay ₹125 per student (including GST).

• Schools may charge an extra ₹25 per student to cover exam-related costs.

• Fee exemption is given to:

• Students with physical disabilities

• Students whose parents were martyred in defense operations
  
  

ISSO Class-Wise Papers and Sample Questions

To prepare well, students should practice from ISSO class-wise papers and previous year question papers. These papers help students:

Awards and Recognitions for ISSO Exam 2025–26

Students who perform exceptionally well in the International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO) will be honored with various awards and recognitions. These include international, zonal, and school-level prizes.

Top scorers are awarded certificates, cash prizes up to ₹50,000, laptops, wristwatches and other exciting gifts.

Below is an overview of the awards and scholarships offered at different levels:

 At International Level

Students who achieve top ranks at the International Level in the SOF ISSO (International Social Studies Olympiad) are rewarded with prestigious cash prizes, medals, and certificates for their outstanding performance.

At Zonal Level

Students who perform exceptionally well in their zones in the SOF International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO) are awarded cash prizes, medals, certificates, and gifts to honor their achievements.

At School Level

• Gold Medals of Excellence and Certificates are awarded to class toppers, based on class strength:

• 5 to 9 students: Top ranker gets a Gold Medal of Excellence.

• 10 to 25 students: Top 3 rankers get Gold Medals of Excellence.

• More than 25 students: Top 10% rankers get Gold Medals of Excellence.

• Students scoring 100% marks also receive special recognition.