Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)

Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics 

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and around the world, the National Olympiad Programme in Maths for the year 2021 has also been affected to an extent, where the exam authorities have introduced several changes to the upcoming exams. In view of the prevailing situation, the examination has undergone a major change in its exam pattern, and the number of stages has also been reduced as compared to previous years. 

The Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) will be a three-hour examination and will be jointly organised by the Mathematics Teachers Association of India (MTAI), the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research  (TIFR). All the details related to the exam are provided below.

Different Stages of Mathematical Olympiad 

A standard six-stage procedure for the selection of the teams to represent India at the International Mathematical Olympiad has been followed in previous years. The selection procedure for the 2021-2022 cycle has been changed to just a five-stage process, as a one-time exception only. 

Stage 1 – Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)

The IOQM will be a three-hour examination with 30 questions, and each question having an integer answer in the range 00-99. The syllabus and standard of this examination will be the same as that of PRMO of previous years. Students who do well in IOQM qualify for the next stage, i.e., INMO (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad).

Stage 2 – Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO)

The INMO will be a four-hour examination with 6 questions. The syllabus and standard of this examination will be the same as that of the INMO of previous years.

The INMO 2021-22 is tentatively scheduled to be held on February 22, 2022 

The list of students qualified for the INMO 2021 will be prepared according to the following rules: 

• Top 300 (Class XI or below category)+ 60 (Class XII category) from each region in IOQM will get a certificate, provided they have a minimum cut-off score of 5% of the total marks of the IOQM paper. But this is not a qualifying criterion for INMO. 
• The top 540 in the IOQM merit list will qualify for INMO regardless of regional quota. In this pool (a) the number of Class XII students will be 90. (b) the number of Class VIII, IX, X, XI students will be 450. 
• A minimum of 30 (Class XI or below category) + 6 (Class XII category) + 5 (girl students irrespective of the number of girl students qualifying in Class XI or below category. No girl student from Class XII is eligible to qualify in the girls’ category.) from each region will qualify for INMO regardless of the scores (provided each qualifying candidate has a score above a minimum cut-off score of 5% of the total marks of the IOQM paper.)

Stage 3 – Orientation Cum Selection Camps (OCSC)

In this stage the student undergoes some theoretical and experimental sessions and only 35-40 students from all over India compete against each other to qualify for Pre Departure Camp. At these camps, orientation is provided to students for Olympiad level of theoretical, experimental, and observational (for astronomy) tasks. Emphasis is laid on developing conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills. 

Stage 4 – Pre Departure Camp 

In this stage, 4-6 students who qualify from stage 2, before their departure, undergo rigorous training programme at HBCSE in theory and experiments, to compete at the International level. Special laboratories have been developed in HBCSE for this purpose. Resource persons from different institutions across the country are invited to the training camps.

Stage 5 – International Olympiad 

The Olympiad programme culminates with the participation of the Indian students (4-6) in the International Mathematical Olympiad. The students are accompanied by 2-4 teachers or mentors.

Eligibility for IOQM (Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics) 

• Candidates born on or after August 1, 2001, and studying in Class VIII, IX, X, XI or XII.
• Candidates studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) are NOT ELIGIBLE.
• The candidates must be Indian citizens. Provisionally, students with OCI cards are eligible to write the IOQM subject on certain conditions.
• As per the orders of the Madras High Court, students with OCI status will not be eligible for selection to the Indian team in the International Mathematical Olympiad.  Such students are provisionally eligible for selection at ALL prior stages, up to and including the IMOTC.

IOQM Syllabus

The syllabus for IOQM 2021-2022 is the same as that of the PRMO of previous years. 

The syllabus for INMO 2021 is the same as that of INMO of previous years.

Exam Date and Time 

Examination Pattern 

IOQM will follow the PRMO pattern. 

Paper Duration : 3 Hrs 

Mode: Offline 

Type of Exam: Integer type answers (single or two digits)

Negative Marking: None

Note – The no of Questions in IOQM will be updated as soon as we obtain the new notifications, or through information that will be shared on the official page of MTAI, IAPT, and HBCSE. 

Application Form 

Online enrolment for IOQM has already started and interested candidates can visit the IAPT website (iaptexam.in) to register for the test.

IOQM Results

Download IOQM January 17, 2021 Result List PDF

Selection of Students

Other National and International Level Olympiads and Exams