Stages

The All India Olympiad program is a national-level competition that follows a two-stage process for both Science and Mathematics, though the procedures differ slightly between the subjects.

Stages of All India Olympiad:

It begins with an examination conducted in numerous schools across the country and culminates in a final test that meets the standards of international Olympiads. The exams are meticulously designed to evaluate conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, laboratory skills, and, most importantly, the ability to apply problem-solving techniques to new challenges, both theoretical and experimental. The syllabus can be found here.

Stage 1:

The first stage examination, the All India Olympiads - Level-1 (aIO-1) for Science (Class 6-10), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Astrophysics are 2 hour tests, whereas Mathematics olympiad is a 3 hour test with objective type questions and are offered in English. The syllabus is broadly equivalent to up to the corresponding class of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). However, the questions in all levels of Olympiads (including aIO-1) may be expected to be of a higher difficulty level than the board examinations. These examinations are held close to the mid-year June or July every year at numerous centres across the nation. Students can register for this preliminary stage at their own schools. The registration fee is ₹100 per subject. The syllabus can be found here.

Stage 2:

The best-performing students from the aIO-1 (approximately 300 in each subject) qualify for the second stage — the All India Olympiads Level 2 (aIO-2), is a three-hour examination with six problems. The aIO-2 are held in late July at around 18 centres across the country. The syllabus is the same as that of the aIO-1. The tests consist of objective as well as long questions. The problems under each topic involve a high level of difficulty and sophistication. The registration fee is ₹100.