Olympiad · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, under the National Olympiad Programme

INChO (Chemistry Olympiad) — Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (via NSEC)

The complete INChO (Chemistry Olympiad) blueprint: tier-wise pattern, topic weightage from previous-year analyses, and free chapter-by-chapter study material.

2 written stages: the National Standard Examination in Chemistry (NSEC) and the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO)XI-XII classes eligible, as stated in the programme brochure4 areas: physical, organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry Free · tutor-verified

INChO (Chemistry Olympiad) at a glance

Conducted byHomi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, under the National Olympiad Programme

CycleOnce a year. NSEC is held in the autumn and INChO follows in the following months at selected centres. Confirm the dates and centres on the HBCSE site.

ModeNSEC: written objective paper. INChO: written problem-solving paper in several parts. Later stages include an orientation camp with theory and practical tests.

EligibilitySchool students of Classes XI and XII, as stated in the programme brochure, with age and registration conditions set each year. Read the official eligibility notice.

LanguagesEnglish; confirm any provision for other languages on the notice.

Selection intoNot applicable. The olympiad leads to recognition, scholarships and the training camp for the international team.

Where the Chemistry Olympiad leads

The Orientation-cum-Selection Camp and the team for the International Chemistry OlympiadRecognition and certificates for top performersA strong profile for admission to leading chemistry and engineering programmesPreparation for research careers in chemistry

⚡ What changed recently

Formats, counts and dates come from published summaries of the latest cycle, so treat them as indicative and confirm on the HBCSE notice.
The chapters teach the four areas through mechanism, structure and quantitative method rather than memorised lists.
A practical component appears in the later stages, so practise titration technique along with theory.

How INChO (Chemistry Olympiad) selection works

Know what each stage is for before you spend a single hour preparing.

SCREENING

NSEC: first stage

A written objective paper in the autumn. A small top fraction is called to the national olympiad.

NATIONAL STAGE

INChO: national olympiad

A problem-solving paper in several parts at selected centres. Top performers are invited to the camp.

FINAL STAGE

OCSC and the international team

A residential camp with theory and practical work, from which the team for the International Chemistry Olympiad is chosen.

The exam pattern, tier by tier

Marks, timing and negative marking exactly as per the official notification.

NSEC: first stage

Written, objective as reported

— marks

See the notice

Section	Questions	Marks	Time
Physical chemistry	—	—	One paper
Organic chemistry	—	—	One paper
Inorganic chemistry	—	—	One paper
Stoichiometry, equilibria and practical skills	—	—	One paper

💡 The first stage of selection. Confirm the question count and any negative marking on the notice.

INChO: second stage

Written problem-solving in parts

— marks

See the notice

Section	Questions	Marks	Time
Physical chemistry	—	—	One paper
Organic chemistry	—	—	One paper
Inorganic chemistry	—	—	One paper
Stoichiometry, equilibria and practical skills	—	—	One paper

💡 A multi-part problem-solving paper. Marks and duration are set in the notice for the year.

Where the olympiad marks come from

The chemistry route is NSEC, then INChO, then the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) and the team for the International Chemistry Olympiad. NSEC is held in the autumn, and published summaries report that roughly the top one percent of the tens of thousands of candidates are called to INChO. The syllabus is described as built on Classes XI and XII with extensions beyond the school curriculum, and the later stages include a practical component. HBCSE does not publish a marks split by topic, so the shares shown are indicative. Question counts, marking and durations can change, so confirm them on the HBCSE notice. Click any block to open its chapter:

Physical chemistry35 marks · 35%

Indicative share. The most quantitative area.

Organic chemistry30 marks · 30%

Indicative share. Mechanisms, stereochemistry and spectra.

Inorganic chemistry20 marks · 20%

Indicative share. Structure and bonding reasoning.

Analytical chemistry and stoichiometry15 marks · 15%

Indicative share. Equilibria, titrations and practical technique.