India Wins 5 Medals at Junior Astronomy Olympiad!
Five Indian school students achieved a 100 percent medal record at the junior astronomy olympiad in Thailand, winning two golds, two silvers, and a bronze!
Five talented Indian school students have made the entire country proud on the world stage! They took part in the prestigious junior astronomy olympiad held in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, from 1 November to 8 November 2026.
Every single student on the Indian team earned a medal, achieving an amazing 100 percent winning record. The five young stargazers brought home two gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal after competing against bright young minds from across the planet.
What happened?
The exciting global competition was the 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-Jr) 2026. The wonderful results were officially announced on 9 November 2026. A total of 104 students travelled from 25 different countries to test their understanding of the night sky, planets, and distant stars. Along with the young learners, 53 team leaders and observers arrived to guide and support the teams.
The Indian squad showed outstanding skill across every round. Siddharth Laxmisha from Aditya Vidyashram Residential School in Puducherry won a shiny gold medal. Swara Srujal Patel, who studies at the School of Excellence in Gujarat, clinched India’s second gold medal with a brilliant performance.
The success did not stop there. Two students from Rajasthan won silver medals for the team: Aarna Chaplot from Maa Bharti Senior Secondary School in Kota, and Krish Bhaskar from KS International Academy in Bagar. Akshara Gulab Ambone from Lords Public School in Maharashtra earned a bronze medal, completing India’s fantastic medal run.
To get ready for this tough international challenge, the students worked very hard. India’s participation was organised and guided by the National Council of Science Museums, also known as NCSM. Before flying to Thailand, the five students completed an intensive Pre-Departure Camp held at NCSM Headquarters from 26 October to 31 October 2026.
NCSM Director General K. S. Murali praised the young champions for their dedication. He commended their exceptional scientific aptitude, discipline, and perseverance throughout the intense contest.
Why does it matter to you?
Do you ever look up at the night sky and wonder how the universe works? This huge win shows that your curiosity about space, stars, and telescopes can take you all the way to big international contests. You do not have to wait until you are an adult to explore real science!
The five medal winners come from schools in Puducherry, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Their story proves that students from any school and any town can shine on the world stage. When you practice steadily, ask questions, and explore what you love, you can reach great heights too.
Words to know
- Astronomy: the scientific study of stars, planets, and space.
- Astrophysics: a branch of science that uses physics to explain how stars, planets, and cosmic objects behave.
- Olympiad: a major academic competition where students from different countries test their skills.
- Aptitude: a natural ability or quickness to learn a particular subject.
- Perseverance: the habit of continuing to work hard even when a task is challenging.
Did you know?
All five Indian students who attended the contest won a medal, giving the Indian team a perfect 100 percent medal-winning record!
Think about it
If you were given a powerful telescope tonight, what would you like to explore first? How can asking questions about the world around you help you become a better learner?
Quick quiz
How many medals did the Indian student team win in total at the competition in Thailand?
- Three medals
- Five medals
- Seven medals
See the answer
Five medals
Sources
This story was prepared by the Kids Gazette news desk with the help of AI research and writing tools, using the sources listed above.
