: Mumbai, July 29, 2024
The Indian delegation has achieved remarkable success at the 54th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2024, held from July 21 to July 29 in Isfahan, Iran. All five Indian participants bagged medals, securing 2 Gold and 3 Silver medals.
Medal Winners:
- Rhythm Kedia (Gold), Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Ved Lahoti (Gold), Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Akarsh Raj Sahay (Silver), Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Bhavya Tiwari (Silver), Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Jaiveer Singh (Silver), Kota, Rajasthan
India’s delegation was led by Prof. Deepak Garg (DAV College, Chandigarh) and Dr. Shirish Pathare (HBCSE, TIFR), with Prof. A. C. Biyani (Retd., Govt. Nagarjuna Post Graduate College of Science, Raipur) and Prof. Vivek Bhide (Gogate-Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri) serving as Scientific Observers. Notably, Dr. Shirish Pathare was invited to join the three-member International Board of IPhO 2024.
In the country-wise medals tally, India was placed at the fourth position, jointly with Vietnam. China came at the top, followed by Russia and Romania at second and third positions respectively. In all, 18 gold, 35 silver and 53 bronze medals were awarded. A total of 193 students from 43 countries participated in the competition. Much of the western world stayed away from IPhO this year.
The 5-hour theoretical competition had three problems based on a simple model of global warming due to the greenhouse effect, trapping of ions using the “Paul trap” and Doppler cooling techniques, and the dynamics and stability of an accreting binary star system. In the experimental component of 5 hours contestants performed two tasks – one on heat conduction through a copper rod, and the other on diffraction from phase steps.
India’s consistent performance at IPhO, marked by 41% gold, 42% silver, 11% bronze, and 6% honourable mentions over 25 years, highlights the country’s dedication to excellence in science education. In the last decade, Indian students have achieved 46% gold and 52% silver medals. This success is a testament to the efforts of the Physics Olympiad cell, external teachers, and mentors who trained the students during orientation and pre-departure camps at HBCSE. The continued strong support of the Olympiad programme for the National Steering Committee on Science Olympiads, teacher organizations and the funding agencies of the Govt. of India also enables showcasing of Indian talent on the international arena.
The HBCSE remains the nodal Centre for training and selecting students to represent India at various International Olympiads in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and Astrophysics. The National Olympiad Examinations conducted by HBCSE serves as the gateway for final team selection.
More information is also available on :
1. https://www.ipho2024.ir/
2. https://www.ipho-new.org/
3. https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/
SC/PM Source: HBCSE
Follow us on social media:
@PIBMumbai 
/PIBMumbai 
/pibmumbai 
pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com 
/PIBMumbai 
/pibmumbai
