Indian National Mathematical Olympiad

The Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) is a highly selective high school mathematics competition held annually in India. Since its debut in 1989, it has served as the final round of the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics. It is the third tier in the Indian team selection procedure for the International Mathematical Olympiad and is conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) under the aegis of the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM).^[1][2]

The Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) comprises a five-stage process overseen by the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM). The initial stage, the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM), is organized by the Mathematics Teachers’ Association (India). Subsequent stages are conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).^[3]

Eligibility and participant selection process

In order to be eligible to take the INMO, a participant must be either an Indian citizen or an Overseas Citizen of India. Only Indian citizens may join the Indian IMO team. In addition, all participants, regardless, must meet qualification indices determined by previous rounds of the IOQM contests. Entry to the INMO is by invitation only.

All stages are divided into three categories:

Category A, catering to participants in Class XI and below.

Category AG, female supernumerary participants in Class XI and below.

Category B, tailored for Class XII students.

Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)

The top 200 students in Category A, top 5 in Category AG and top 40 students in Category B from each region qualify for the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO).

Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO)

The top 30 students in Category A, top 5 in Category AG and top 6 students in Category B from each region qualify for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO).

Indian National Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (INMOTC)

RMO qualifying students are invited to the one-week INMOTC held in their state/region (details vary heavily region by region & it may not be held in all regions). These students then represent their state/region at the INMO. The top 48 students in Category A, top 5 in Category AG and top 12 students in Category B from entire India qualify for the International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC).

Structure of the examination

The INMO is conducted by the MO Cell and is held on the third Sunday of January at 30 centers across the country. The INMO is conducted to select students for the IMOTC, which is further conducted to select the Indian team for the IMO. It is similar to the USAMO conducted in the USA. The exam structure various from year to year. From 2024 onwards, INMO will consist of 6 problems to be solved over a span of 4.5 hrs.^[4] The topics asked are generally what is taught at high school level, except calculus. The difficulty of the problems tends to be generally higher than what is done in schools, with strong focus on application of concepts. The topics generally covered are Number Theory, Geometry, Combinatorics and Algebra.

Further stages

International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC)

INMO qualifying students are invited to the four-week IMOTC which will be hosted by the CMI in 2024. For first-time participants, the camp runs from first week of May to the end of May, while previously participated candidates join about one week later. Four selection tests and two practice tests are conducted, and the top six students qualify to represent India at the IMO.

Pre-departure Training Camp (PDC)

The selected team of six students undergoes an additional two-week training and orientation session before departing for the IMO.

International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)

The six-member team, accompanied by a leader, deputy leader, and observer, represents India at the IMO, held in July each year in a different member country. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) finances international travel, while NBHM(DAE) covers other associated expenditures.

Post-IMOTC

Students who qualify the INMO and attend the IMOTC are eligible to appear directly in the INMO in the subsequent year.

Perks upon qualification

• INMO awardees are eligible for direct interview for UG courses (Mathematics or Statistics) at the ISI.
• INMO Awardees are eligible for direct admission for UG courses (Math and Computer Science or Math and Physics) at the CMI.^[5]
• INMO Awardees are eligible to appear for a special entrance examination exclusive to them for admission BS, Mathematics in IIT Bombay.^[6]
• INMO Awardees are eligible to apply for direct admission in IIT Gandhinagar for admission to all UG courses.
• Indian team members at the IMO are automatically eligible for the KVPY fellowship.
• IMO medalists (gold, silver, bronze) receive cash prizes of Rs. 5,000, Rs. 4,000, and Rs. 3,000 respectively from NBHM.
• The Ministry of HRD, Government of India, covers all expenses for the IMO Training Camp and the IMO itself.
• INMO awardees are eligible for an NBHM scholarship of Rs. 2,500 per month for math studies, with additional benefits for a 4-year training program.

Indians part of the IMO Hall of Fame

1. Pranjal Srivastava won 3 gold and 1 silver medal for India at the IMO and is currently the most decorated Indian at the IMO Hall of Fame.
2. Akashnil Dutta won 1 gold and 2 silver medals for India at the IMO.
3. Nikhil Ashok Savale won 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze for India at the IMO.
4. Sucharit Sarkar, Rina Panigrahy, Abhinav Kumar and Chetan Balwe, each won 1 gold and 1 silver for India at the IMO.
5. Atul Shatavart Nadig, Arjun Gupta and Debdyuti Banerjee won 1 gold and 1 bronze for India at the IMO.^[7]

See also

• International Mathematical Olympiad
• United States of America Mathematical Olympiad

External links

• Indian National Mathematical Olympiad problems
• NBHM official page on Olympiads
• Official page of the MO cell
• Science Olympiad
• Math Olympiad in India - A Comprehensive Guide

References

1. "Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR". Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).
2. . Archived from the original on 2013-05-27. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
3. "Olympiads HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION". Olympiads HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION.
4. "Mathematical Olympiad 2023-2024". Olympiads. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
5. "Chennai Mathematical Institute Admissions". Chennai Mathematical Institute.
6. anil, saaransh, abhishek, vivek. "B.S. Programme | Department of Mathematics". www.math.iitb.ac.in. Retrieved 2023-03-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
7. "International Mathematical Olympiad". www.imo-official.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.