Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Felicitates 'Team India School Children' for Historic Best-Ever Performance with 9 Medals in the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh felicitated Indian school children who achieved India's best-ever performance at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026 in Turin, Italy, winning 9 medals (4 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze) against 39 countries. The Ministry of Earth Sciences supported the students through a rigorous national selection and training pipeline, including an all-India test with approximately 17,800 participants and a three-week training camp in Vadodara, Gujarat.
Why It Matters
This demonstrates India's competitive performance in international science olympiads and reflects government initiatives to foster scientific temperament among youth—relevant for candidates studying government schemes, education policy, and India's global standing in science education.
In Simple Words
Indian students achieved a historic milestone at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad held in Turin, Italy from August 20–27, 2026, securing 9 medals—4 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze—while competing against 39 countries. Soumik Mandal from DAV Model School, Durgapur, stood 3rd globally with 2 Gold and 1 Silver medal.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences supported this success through a structured national pipeline: approximately 17,800 students took an all-India test across 500 centers, the top 25 underwent intensive training in June 2026 at M.S. University, Vadodara, and the Union Minister personally felicitated the winners at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi.
Key Points
- India won 9 medals at the 19th IESO 2026: 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze
- Competition held in Turin, Italy from August 20–27, 2026
- Team India competed against 39 countries
- Soumik Mandal stood 3rd in overall global ranking among 39 countries with 2 Gold and 1 Silver
- Approximately 17,800 students appeared in the all-India test across 500 centers
- Top 25 meritorious students underwent three-week training camp in June 2026 at M.S. University, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Ministry of Earth Sciences supported the initiative under its Outreach and Awareness program
- Geological Society of India (GSI) facilitated the all-India test
Exam Angle
A. 9 medals comprising 4 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals
Source: Press Information Bureau