"Outstanding performance by our youngsters": PM Modi congratulates winners of International Physics Olympiad 2026
New Delhi, July 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the winners of the 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Prime Minister Modi said it was an outstanding performance by the youngsters.
In a post on X, "An outstanding performance by our youngsters! Congratulations to the Indian contingent of Kanishk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg, Shresth Suraiya and Svarit Joshi for winning Gold Medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 held in Bucaramanga, Colombia."
"Their feat reflects yet another example of the limitless potential of our Yuva Shakti and their passion towards science and research. Equally commendable is the fact that in the last decade, our students have performed exceptionally well in the various editions of this platform," he added.
India delivered a stellar performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with all five members of its team winning Gold medals and the country jointly securing the World No. 1 rank.
India shared the top spot with China, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan at the competition, which saw the participation of 381 students from 87 countries.
The Indian Gold medal winners are Kanishk Jain (Pune, Maharashtra), Riddhesh Anant Bendale (Indore, Madhya Pradesh), Rishit Garg (Dwarka, New Delhi), Shresth Suraiya (Mumbai, Maharashtra) and Svarit Joshi (Ahmedabad, Gujarat).
The achievement extends India's strong record at the International Physics Olympiad, with every Indian participant over the last decade securing a medal.
The Indian Olympiad programme is coordinated by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a National Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). HBCSE identifies and mentors talented pre-university students through a multi-stage selection process and intensive training programmes.
Congratulating the team, Department of Atomic Energy Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty said, "This phenomenal achievement by our young physicists is a matter of immense pride for the nation. Securing five Gold Medals and jointly attaining the World No. 1 rank at the International Physics Olympiad is a testament to the talent, dedication and scientific temperament of our students, as well as the unwavering commitment of the HBCSE-TIFR Olympiad programme."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Congratulations to these talented students! As someone who studied physics in the US, I know how tough the Olympiad is. India sharing the top spot with China, Russia, and others is no small feat. HBCSE and TIFR's Olympiad programme clearly does an excellent job. Well deserved, everyone! 🎉
Sir, please also focus on getting these brilliant minds into good research institutions in India itself. We don't want them to go abroad for higher studies and stay there. We need them to solve India's problems—water, energy, healthcare. That would be the real victory for 'Yuva Shakti'. But yes, amazing achievement for now! 🙏
Stellar performance from India! All five gold medals and joint world No. 1—this is no coincidence. The multi-stage selection and training by HBCSE is a model other countries could learn from. Excellent work by the students, their teachers, and the entire Olympiad team. This is how countries build scientific temper! 🏅
Great news! But let's not forget the thousands of other students who work hard but never get this recognition. Every child who studies physics with passion deserves a pat on the back. Still, huge congratulations to Kanishk, Riddhesh, Rishit, Shresth, and Svarit—you've made every Indian proud! Our education system needs more support for science at the grassroots level. ✨
Excellent result! India shared the top spot with China—that's the big story here.
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