Olympiad Exam Calendar for School Students (SOF, Silverzone & More)

This olympiad exam calendar guide explains the main olympiads Indian school students can take, the subjects they cover, and when they are usually held. Most school-level olympiads are conducted through schools in two levels: a first level in the second half of the year and a second level for top scorers a few months later.

Exact dates change every year, so always check the official website of each organiser before registering.

Major Olympiad Organisers

Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)

SOF runs some of the most widely taken school olympiads: IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad), NSO (National Science Olympiad), IEO (International English Olympiad), NCO (National Cyber Olympiad), IGKO (International General Knowledge Olympiad) and ISSO (International Social Studies Olympiad). Schools register students; Level 1 is held in school, and top performers qualify for Level 2. Official site: sofworld.org

Silverzone Foundation

Silverzone conducts olympiads in science, mathematics, English, computers and general knowledge, also through schools. Official site: silverzone.org

Unified Council

Known for the NSTSE (National Level Science Talent Search Exam) and other tests for school students. Official site: unifiedcouncil.com

National Olympiad Programme (HBCSE route)

For senior students aiming at international science and maths olympiads: in Mathematics, the IOQM (Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics) is the first stage; in Science, the National Standard Examinations (NSEP, NSEC, NSEB, NSEA and the junior NSEJS) conducted by IAPT are the first stage. Selected students move on to the Indian National Olympiads and training camps run by HBCSE. Official sites: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in and iapt.org.in

When Are Olympiads Usually Held?

Olympiad type	Usual registration	Usual exam period
SOF Level 1 (IMO, NSO, IEO, etc.)	Through school, early in the session	Roughly October–December (in school)
SOF Level 2	For qualifiers	Roughly January–February
Silverzone and similar	Through school	Mostly the second half of the year
IOQM / NSEs (senior olympiads)	Mid-year	Roughly August–November

These are general patterns from past years, not confirmed dates. Check each official website for the current schedule.

Which Olympiad Should Your Child Take?

Child's strength	Good starting olympiad
Loves numbers and puzzles	IMO or a maths olympiad
Curious about how things work	NSO or another science olympiad
Reads a lot, good vocabulary	IEO or an English olympiad
Enjoys computers	NCO
Class 8 and above, strong in maths or science	Explore IOQM / NSEJS

Tip: start with one or two olympiads. Too many can stress the child and eat into school studies.

How to Register

1. Ask the school whether it is a registered centre for the olympiad.
2. If it is, register through the school by the deadline.
3. If it isn't, check the official website for options — some organisers allow other centres or individual registration.
4. Note the exam date, syllabus and level structure.

Preparation Basics

• Follow the official syllabus for your class (usually close to the school syllabus, plus a reasoning section).
• Practise previous years' papers from the organiser.
• Focus on logical reasoning — many olympiads have a dedicated section.
• Read our full guide: How to Prepare for Maths & Science Olympiads.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are olympiad exams held in India?
Most school-level olympiads hold Level 1 between about October and December, with Level 2 a few months later. Exact dates vary, so check each organiser's official site.

How do I register my child for an olympiad?
Usually through the school. Ask the class teacher or olympiad coordinator, or check the organiser's official website.

Which class can take olympiad exams?
Many school olympiads are open from Class 1 to 12. Senior olympiads like IOQM and NSEs are for higher classes.

Are olympiads useful for children?
Yes. They build problem-solving skills and confidence, and give exposure to competitive exams early.

How many olympiads should a child take in one year?
One or two is usually enough, especially for younger children, so school studies and play time don't suffer.