Indian students have won two gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-Jr) 2026, held in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, from November 1 to 8, the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) said on Monday, November 9. All five members of the Indian contingent won a medal at the event, which drew 104 participants from 25 countries, accompanied by 53 team leaders and observers.

Source: PIB / NCSM via CrackTarget (10 Nov 2026)

Siddharth Laxmisha of Aditya Vidyashram Residential School, Poraiyur, Puducherry, and Swara Srujal Patel of the School of Excellence, Wadhwan, Gujarat, won the gold medals. Aarna Chaplot and Krish Bhaskar, both of Rajasthan, won silver, and Akshara Gulab Ambone of Maharashtra won bronze.

Source: Jagran Josh

2gold medals — Siddharth Laxmisha and Swara Srujal Patel
2silver medals — Aarna Chaplot and Krish Bhaskar
1bronze medal — Akshara Gulab Ambone
104participants from 25 countries in Thailand

A competition for under-16 astronomers

The IOAA-Jr is an annual international competition in astronomy and astrophysics for students below the age of 16, testing theoretical knowledge, observation and data analysis. The Olympiad was formally inaugurated on November 2 at the Ubon Ratchathani University campus. NCSM Director General K. S. Murali said the Indian students' performance reflected their dedication, scientific aptitude and perseverance.

Source: Northeast Herald (NCSM statement, 9 Nov 2026)

The NCSM, under the Ministry of Culture, is the authorised national representative body for the junior astronomy Olympiad and organises India's Junior Astronomy Olympiad Programme. The team was selected through a five-stage process under the Indian National Junior Astronomy Olympiad, with an orientation-cum-selection camp held at NCSM headquarters in May this year.

The five medals continue India's run of results at junior science olympiads this season and put all five of the country's representatives on the podium in Thailand.