New Delhi: India scripted history at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with all five members of the Indian team winning gold medals and the country securing the joint World No. 1 rank.
India shared the top position with China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan among 381 students from 87 countries, marking one of the country’s best-ever performances at the prestigious global competition.
The five Indian gold medallists are:
- Kanishk Jain – Pune, Maharashtra
- Riddhesh Anant Bendale – Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Rishit Garg – Dwarka, New Delhi
- Shresth Suraiya – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Svarit Joshi – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The achievement continues India’s remarkable record at the International Physics Olympiad, with every Indian participant over the past decade securing a medal.
The team was selected and trained by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). HBCSE conducts India’s National Olympiad Programme, identifying and mentoring talented students through a rigorous selection and training process.
Congratulating the winners, Department of Atomic Energy Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty described the achievement as a matter of immense national pride. He said the students’ success reflects their talent, dedication and scientific temperament, as well as the sustained efforts of the HBCSE-TIFR Olympiad programme.
The DAE also congratulated the team leaders, scientific observers and mentors for their contribution in preparing India’s young physicists for international competition.
HBCSE Director Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya said the consistent success of Indian students in international science and mathematics Olympiads is the result of decades of sustained mentoring and institutional support.
