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National Science Olympiad 2025

Science Olympiads, such as the National Science Olympiad (NSO), play a significant role in a student's life by providing various benefits and opportunities for growth. Students can enhance their knowledge and understanding of science by participating in these competitions. 

The National Science Olympiad (SOF NSO), conducted by SOF every year, evaluates the natural abilities and science skills of students from grades 1 to 12. This SOF Olympiad is a two-stage exam, and after qualifying for level 1, students have to attempt Level 2 to achieve merit rank and prizes. The SOF NSO is carried out on three dates for Level 1.

Students gain confidence in themselves by posing tough questions to themselves and analyzing various areas of science. If you too are interested to learn about what opportunities await you after attending the National Science Olympiad, this article has all the information regarding the Olympiad exam - NSO.

1.0What is the National Science Olympiad?

The NSO is a science competition for grades 1 to 12 students. It is organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). The students travel to various universities during the National Tournament. This makes the students think about possible colleges for their bachelor's degree, gives them good memories, and opens their minds. The NSO awards students medals and trophies for outstanding performance in science education.

The SOF NSO Level 1 is held on three different dates, and schools are able to select the best date for taking the exam. There is a different question paper for each exam date.

Highlights of National Science Olympiad 2025

Exam Organizing Body

Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)

Eligibility

Students from classes 1 - 12, enrolled in a school recognized by SOF are eligible for NSO

Exam Level

Intermediate

Application Process

Via Respective School Authorities 

Exam Dates

Level 1 Exam Date 1: 13th November, 2025
Level 1 Exam Date 2: 27th November 2025
Level 1 Exam Date 3: 11th December 2025

Exam Mode

Offline

Fee of registration

₹ 125

Frequency of Conduct

Once a year

Objective

To identify & foster passion for Science

Languages

English

Duration

1 hour

2.0National Science Olympiad Exam Dates

The officials will declare the exam dates for the 2025-26 session, which is tentatively scheduled in October, November, and December 2025 (as per the previous year trends). Below is a table containing the exam dates of all the NSO Olympiad Events.

NSO Olympiad Exam Dates

Name of Event

Date of Event

NSO First Exam Date for Level 1 

(Class 1 to 12)

13th November, 2025

NSO Second Exam Date for Level 1

(Class 1 to 12)

27th November 2025

NSO Third Exam Date for Level 1

(Class 1 to 12)

11th December 2025

NSO Level 2 Examination Day

(Class 3 to 12)

Will be announced in Jan 2026

Hall Ticket Release date

Two weeks before the exam

NSO Result Date

Within 8 weeks of the examination

3.0National Science Olympiad Syllabus

The syllabus of NSO is well-planned to cover science and math topics aligned with the CBSE, ICSE, and other state board curriculam. It assesses students' understanding of basic scientific concepts and their practical application.

You can check the syllabus for the National Science Olympiad 2025 here:

Class

Section 

Details

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 1

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Patterns, Odd One Out, Measuring Units, Geometrical Shapes, Spatial Understanding, Grouping, Analogy, Ranking Test, Problems based on Figures.

Section – 2: Science

Living and Non-living Things, Plants, Animals, Human Beings and Their Needs, Good Habits and Safety Rules, Air and Water, Weather and The Sky.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 2

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Patterns, Odd One Out, Measuring Units, Geometrical Shapes, Analogy, Ranking Test, Grouping of Figures, Embedded Figures, Coding-Decoding.

Section – 2: Science

Plants, Animals, the Human Body, Food, Housing and Clothing, Family and Festivals, Good Habits and Safety Rules, Transport and Communication, Air, Water, rocks, Earth and the Universe.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 3

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Patterns, Analogy and Classification, Alphabet Test, Coding-Decoding, Ranking Test, Grouping of Figures and Figure Matrix, Mirror Images, Geometrical Shapes, Embedded Figures, Possible Combinations, Clock and Calendar.

Section – 2: Science

Plants and Animals, Birds, Food, Housing, Clothing and Occupation, Transport, Communication and Safety Rules, Human Body, Earth and Universe, Matter and Materials, Light, Sound and Force, Our Environment.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 4

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Patterns, Alphabet Test, Coding-Decoding, Ranking Test, Mirror Images, Geometrical Shapes and Solids, Embedded Figures, Direction Sense Test, Possible Combinations, Analogy and Classification, Clock and Calendar.

Section – 2: Science

Plants, Animals, Food and Digestion, Human Needs, Matter and Materials, Force, Work and Energy, Our Environment, Earth and Universe.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 5

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Patterns, Analogy and Classification, Geometrical Shapes, Mirror and Water Images, Direction Sense Test, Ranking Test, Alphabet Test, Logical Sequence of Words, Puzzle Test, Coding-Decoding, Clock and Calendar.

Section – 2: Science

Animals, Human Body and Health, Plants, Natural Resources and Indian Heritage, Pollution and Calamities, Earth and Universe, Matter and Materials, Force and Energy.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 6

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2: Science

Motion and Measurement of Distances, Light, Shadows and Reflections, Electricity and Circuits, Fun with Magnets, Air Around Us, Sorting Materials into Groups, Separation of Substances, The World of Living (Characteristics of Living Beings, Parts of Plants, Body Movements in Animals and Adaptation),  Components of Food.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 7

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2: Science

Heat, Motion, and Time; Electric Current and its Effects; light, Acids, Bases, and Salts; physical and Chemical Changes; nutrition in Plants and Animals; respiration in Organisms; transportation in Plants and Animals; reproduction in Plants; and Natural Resources and Their Conservation (Forests: Our Lifeline, Wastewater Story).

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 8

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2: Science

Crop Production and Management, Microorganisms, Coal and Petroleum, Combustion and Flame, Conservation of Plants and Animals, Reproduction and Endocrine System, Friction, Force and Pressure, Sound, Chemical Effects of Electric Current, Light Some Natural Phenomena.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 9

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2: Science

Motion, Force and Laws of Motion, Gravitation, Work and Energy, Sound, Matter in Our Surroundings, Is Matter Around Us Pure,  Atoms and Molecules, Structure of Atom, Cell-The Fundamental Unit of Life, Tissues, Natural Resources, Improvement in Food Resources.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 10

Section – 1: Logical Reasoning

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2: Science

Chemical Reactions and Equations, Acids, Bases and Salts, Metals and Non-metals, Carbon and Its Compounds, Life Processes, Control and Coordination, Reproduction in Organisms, Heredity, Light-Reflection and Refraction, Electricity, Human Eye and the Colourful World, Magnetic Effects of Electric Current, and Our Environment and Its Management.

Section – 3: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 11

Section – 1: Physics & Chemistry

Physics: Units and Measurements, Mechanics, Properties of Matter, Heat and Thermodynamics, Oscillations, Waves.

Chemistry: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atoms, Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, Organic and redox Reactions. Chemistry - Some Basic Principles and Techniques, Hydrocarbons.

Section – 2: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 1.

Section – 3: Mathematics/Biology

Diversity in the Living World, Structural Organisation in Plants and Animals, Cell: Structure and Functions, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology.


Diversity in the Living World, Structural Organisation in Plants and Animals, Cell: Structure and Functions, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology.

SOF NSO SYLLABUS CLASS 12

Section – 1: Physics & Chemistry

Physics: Electricity and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Alternating current, Electromagnetic waves, Optics, Modern Physics, Semiconductor Electronics.

Chemistry: Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, The d- and f-Block Elements, Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Coordination Compounds, Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Aldehydes, Amines, Biomolecules.

Section – 2: Achievers Section

Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 1.

Section – 3: Mathematics/Biology

Relations and Functions, Inverse Trigonometric Functions, Matrices and Determinants, Application of Derivatives, Integrals, Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Continuity and Differentiability, Three-Dimensional Geometry, Probability, Linear Programming.

OR

Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology in Human Welfare, Biotechnology, Ecology.

4.0NSO 2025 Eligibility Criteria

The NSO exam invites students from grades 1 to 12. Eligibility criteria could vary based on the level of the exam. For example, to be eligible for the level 2 exam, the class topper should compete with a minimum of 10 students and obtain a minimum of 50% passing marks.

5.0National Science Olympiad 2025 Registration

Application Process for the SOF National Science Olympiad is as follows: 

  • Schools in India typically facilitate the application process for the SOF International Mathematics Olympiad.
  • Schools registered with SOF receive a prospectus containing registration forms.
  • Schools not registered with SOF can request a prospectus by contacting the organization.
  • The coordinating teacher at each school fills out a School Registration Form (SRF) and Students' Registration Sheet.
  • Completed forms must be submitted to SOF before the specified deadline.

National Science Olympiad Fees Structure

  • The fee for registration is ₹125 (inclusive of GST) per student for schools within India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
  • For other nations, the cost is US$11.
  • Indian schools can charge ₹25 per student for administrative fees and teacher assistance.
  • Scholars who have serious disabilities or parents martyred during defense operations are exempt from fee.

Also Read: International Olympiad of Science

6.0Exam Pattern of National Science Olympiad India

The Science Olympiad Foundation determines NSO exam patterns. Familiarity with the exam pattern is crucial to preparing effectively. Exam patterns include the number of questions per section, the question paper pattern, and the marking scheme.

The SOF National Science Olympiad is conducted at two levels:

Exam Pattern for Level 1:

  • Held in participants' schools during school hours.
  • Objective test: 35 questions for grades 1-4, 50 for grades 5-12, lasting 60 minutes.
  • The questions are divided into sections: Logical Reasoning, Science, and Achievers Section for grades 1-10; Physics/Chemistry, Achievers Section, and Mathematics/Biology for grades 11-12.
  • Separate English papers for each exam date are based on CBSE, ICSE/ISC, and State Board syllabi.

Level 2 Exam Pattern: For grades 3-12, qualifiers include:

  • Top 5% from each class in Level 1, with section-wise weightage to break ties.
  • Top 25 class and zone-wise rank holders.
  • Class toppers with at least 10 participants from the class and 50% marks; section-wise top rankers may qualify for Level 2.

7.0National Science Olympiad Results

The NSO results are usually declared within 8 weeks after the examination. They have been sent to the relevant schools. Students can check their results using their roll number on SOF's official website (sofworld.org/).

The NSO has released the result of level 2nd on the official website; candidates can check it using the given procedure.

8.0National Science Olympiad Winners: Awards and Recognition

The National Science Olympiad (NSO) incentivizes students through awards and certificates to cultivate a strong foundation in science education. These acknowledgements serves a dual purpose: motivating students and promoting a culture of scientific excellence. Details of awards at diverse levels are as follows: 

  • Funding: Over Rs. 24 crores spent on awards, scholarships, and gifts in 2023-24.
  • Participants: Includes competitors from over 35 countries as of 2021.

Awards for SOF National Science Olympiad 2025-26

Award Distribution:

  • International & Zonal Levels (Class 3-12): Awards for 2nd level winners.
  • Classes 1 & 2: Awards for 1st level winners; each winner is eligible for one award, with the highest level of achievement recognized.

International Level Awards:

  • 1st: Rs.50,000, Gold Medal, Certificate of Outstanding Performance (12 awardees)
  • 2nd: Rs.25,000, Silver Medal, Certificate (12 awardees)
  • 3rd: Rs.10,000, Bronze Medal, Certificate (12 awardees)

Note: Equal division of awards for up to 10 rank holders; gift packages for 11+ rank holders.

Zonal Level Awards:

  • 1st: Rs.5,000, Gold Medal, Certificate of Zonal Excellence (312 awardees)
  • 2nd: Rs.2,500, Silver Medal, Certificate (312 awardees)
  • 3rd: Rs.1,000, Bronze Medal, Certificate (312 awardees)
  • 4th-10th: Gifts worth Rs.500, Certificate (2184 awardees)
  • 11th-25th: Certificate of Zonal Excellence (4680 awardees)
  • 26th+: Merit Certificate (All eligible)

Note: Awards are equally divided among up to 5 rank holders; gift packages for 6+ rank holders.

School Level Awards:

  • Medals for class toppers.
  • Distinction Medals and Certificates for top performers.
  • All participants receive a Student Performance Report and a Participation or Merit Certificate based on their level.

Student Performance Report (SPR):

  • Detailed student performance analysis, including school, city, zone, and international ranks.
  • Year-wise and topic-wise performance reviews.
  • Comparative score analysis across different levels.

9.0Benefits of the National Science Olympiad Competition

Here are the main reasons why a student should appear for the National Science Olympiad:

  • Improved scientific knowledge and understanding: The NSO provides students with diverse scientific ideas and challenges them to use their knowledge in the right way.
  • Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving capacity: Through consistent practice for the NSO, students enhance their reasoning skills, hone logical thinking capacity, and are better able to solve tough scientific problems.
  • Awards and recognition for excellent performance: Students who secure top positions in the NSO are awarded certificates, medals, and other awards, which not only acknowledge their efforts but also reflect their scientific ability and commitment.
  • Performance analysis to determine strengths and weaknesses: The NSO offers participants a comprehensive performance analysis in the form of the Student Performance Report (SPR) that provides useful information on a student's performance, determining areas of strength and areas of improvement.
  • Further academic and career opportunities: Outstanding performance in the NSO can lead to numerous opportunities for students. The best performers could be given cash prizes, scholarships, or university admission directly.

Explore: Science Olympiads

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