"Remarkable achievement by India's young scientific minds!": MoS Margherita lauds winners of International Physics Olympiad 2026
New Delhi, July 13
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Monday extended wishes to the young Indians who bagged gold at the 56th International Physics Olympiad, which took place in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
In a post on X, he lauded their performance and said that their exceptional accomplishment is a testament to the brilliance, perseverance, and scientific temperament of India's Yuva Shakti.
He underlined how it also reflects the growing culture of innovation and research among India's youth.
"Heartiest congratulations to Kanishk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg, Shresth Suraiya, and Svarit Joshi for securing Gold Medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 in Bucaramanga, Colombia," Margherita said.
He added, "It is a proud moment for the nation and an inspiring reminder of the immense potential of our youth in advancing scientific excellence and innovation"
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the winners.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "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," the PM said.
India delivered a stellar performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 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
While this achievement is indeed remarkable, I wish the government would invest more in basic science research and improve the overall education system. These talented students succeed despite the system, not because of it. Many rural schools lack basic science labs. Let's not just celebrate the winners but also work on creating an environment where every child with scientific aptitude can flourish.
What an achievement! Five gold medals – that too from different cities: Pune, Indore, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad. This shows that talent exists across India, not just in metros. The HBCSE-TIFR Olympiad programme deserves huge credit for identifying and nurturing these gems. I hope these young scientists go on to make breakthroughs in physics like Chandrasekhar and Raman did for India.
Proud moment indeed! But let's also acknowledge the parents, teachers, and the HBCSE team who supported these kids. Olympiad training isn't easy – these students must have sacrificed years of normal school life and dedicated countless hours. I hope colleges like IITs and IISc give them direct admissions or scholarships to pursue their passion further.
As someone who works in research abroad, these results are truly impressive. India's performance in science Olympiads has been consistently excellent. I just hope the government creates more research-oriented job opportunities in India so that these bright minds don't feel compelled to move abroad after their PhDs. We need to retain this talent for India's scientific growth.
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