India wins 4 golds, finishes top at 58th International Chemistry Olympiad

India won four gold medals at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad in Tashkent. The result gave the country its best finish yet and a joint top rank.India wins 4 golds, claims joint top spot at 58th International Chemistry OlympiadIndia recorded its best-ever performance at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2026, with all four members of its team winning gold medals. The country secured the joint top rank alongside China, Vietnam and an Individual Participant (Russia).The competition was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 10 to 19. A total of 363 students from 93 countries participated in this year's edition of the Olympiad.This was India's 27th participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad and its best performance so far.The four Indian students who won gold medals are: Debadatta Priyadarshi, Bhubaneswar, OdishaHarshit Singhal, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab Kabeer Chhillar, DelhiSandeep Kuchi, Hyderabad, TelanganaThe Indian contingent was led by Head Mentor Prof. Subhajit Bandyopadhyay of IISER Kolkata and Mentor Dr. Indrani Das Sen of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).The team was also accompanied by Scientific Observers Dr. Anubendu Adhikary of IIT Kharagpur and Dr. Jayasree Gopalakrishnan of NES Ratnam College, Mumbai.ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIADThe International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is the world's premier competition for secondary school students in chemistry. Held annually since 1968, the Olympiad brings together the best young chemistry students from around the world to compete in theoretical and practical examinations.India has participated in the competition since 1999, with the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), conducting the national selection and training programme.Before this year's edition, Indian students had won 31 gold, 55 silver and 18 bronze medals at the Olympiad. In 2025, India secured two gold and two silver medals.The four-gold haul at the 2026 edition marks the country's best-ever performance at the IChO, with India finishing joint first in the overall standings.HBCSE ACKNOWLEDGES SUPPORTThe Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education thanked the National Steering Committee on Science Olympiads, teacher organisations and resource persons associated with the Chemistry Olympiad Cell for their support throughout the national selection and training programme.HBCSE also acknowledged funding support from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Ministry of Education (MoE).- EndsPublished By: Rishab ChauhanPublished On: Jul 19, 2026 11:47 IST