Astronomy Olympiad is one of the prestigious International events,
organized every year. So far, Indian Performance in these Olympiads
has been excellent. In 2005 held at Beijing, China, 20 countries
participated in this event and Indian team brought home, 5 Golds , 2
Silver and 1 Bronze medal to take the country to the Top of the
chart.
Outline of the Olympiad Selection
Procedure In India :
The selection for the Astronomy Olympiad is a five stages process.
It starts by enrollment for the selection typically between mid
August to mid September of every year.
Date of Exam :
Last Sunday of November on first Saturday of December and last date
of enrollment is September 15.
Language:
English (However for junior level NSEA question papers may be
available in Hindi, Gujrati, Bangla, but there should be at least
300 students opting that particular language)
Eligibility Criteria :
For Junior level :- Students of class X
or lower (born on or between 01-01-1994 & 31-12-1995)
For Senior level :- Student of class
XII or lower (born on or between 01-01-1990 & 31-12-1993)
Student of Class-XII not more than 18 years old can appear NSEA
(Senior Level). They are eligible for further camps leading to
participation in International Olympiad in Astronomy and
Astrophysics (IOAA) but not in International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO).
Stage - I : National Standards Examination Astronomy (NSEA)
This stage consists of screening test conducted by IAPT
as NSEA (National Standards Examination Astronomy). This takes place
on the Last Sunday of every year. In the year 2005 nationwide,
nearly 13000 students appeared for this examination.
Duration : 2 hours
Syllabus :
For Junior level :- Broadly equivalent to the secondary
school level (upto Class-X) of CBSE.
For Senior level :- Broadly equivalent to the senior
secondary school level (Class-XI & XII) of CBSE.
The student must have a good understanding of basic physics and
mathematics, along with general knowledge about astronomy.
Question Paper for the First Stage: 50 multiple choice
question consisting of
• 40 questions (3 marks for each correct answer and –1 for each
wrong answer with only one of the four option correct)
•10 questions (6 marks for each) with any number of the four options
correct (all correct options to be marked to get credit.)
Stage - II : Indian National Astronomy
Olympiad (INAO)
Tentative date of Exam : Last Sunday of January or First
Sunday of February
Duration : 3 hours
Syllabus :
The syllabus of INAO is broadly
similar to NSEA (Junior & Senior Level) but the level of the
problems will be higher.
Question Paper for the Second Stage : 24 question consisting
of -
•
20 questions (3 marks for each correct answer and –1 for each wrong
answer), of multiple choice type, with on it one of the four options
correct.
•
4 question (10 marks each), of subjective type, with problem solving
and computing component.
*
In the Junior paper, an additional Part C is included. It consists
of 20 questions (3 marks each), of multiple choice type, with one of
the four options correct. Part C is optional and consists of
questions in Chemistry and Biology. This part is mandatory to only
those students who are interested in participating in the
International Juniour Science Olympiad (IJSO).
Tentative date of Result : First week of March
Stage - III : Orientation cum
Selection Camp in Mumbai
The short-listed groups of about 20 students for Junior level and 30
students for Senior level are invited together to the Orientation
cum Selection Camp in Mumbai. The camp is of about 18 days'
duration. The camp includes several theoretical and experimental
tests. Students are trained in basic concepts in astronomy and
astrophysics during the camp. Orientation is provided to students
especially for problem solving in astronomy, astrophysics and for
observational astronomy tests. The best 3 students from seniors and
3 student from juniors are selected for special merit awards of Rs.
5000/- each in the form of books and gifts. From the camp, 3
students from juniors and 2 students from seniors are selected for
the International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO). In addition to this, 5
students from seniors are selected for the International Olympiad on
Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA).
Stage - IV: Training of Indian teams
for International Olympiads at HBCSE/TIFR.
The selected Indian team undergoes a rigorous training program at
HBCSE/TIFR in theory and experiment. Special facilities have been
developed at HBCSE/TIFR to train the students. Resource persons from
different institutions across the country are invited to the
training camp. The training camp is of a week's duration.
Stage - V: International Astronomy
Olympiad (IAO)
The 5-member student team and 2 teacher leaders constitute the
delegation to represent India at the International Astronomy
Olympiads. Usually the International Olympiad is held in
October/November of every year.
Fees :For
students in India Rs.60/- per student and for overseas students US $
12 per student.
Contacts :
•
Prof. M. L. Oglapurkar
Co-ordinator (NSEP)
IAPT
Office, I.I.E. Campus,
128/2,
J.P. Naik Marg, Kothrud, Pune-411038.
Tel
: (O) 020-25420163
e-mail
: iapt@vsnl.net
•
Prof. R. M. Dharkar
Chief Co-ordinator (IAPT Examinations)
1/22, Devendum Mithbunder Road,
Thane (E) - 4006030
Tel : (R) 022-253283608
E-mail : rdharkar@vsnal.com
Website :
www.hbcse.tifr.res.in |