Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics Registration 2026 is now starts for students of Classes 8–12. Apply online or through registered centres by 25 July 2026. Check the IOQM exam date, eligibility, fees, syllabus, important dates, and official website details.
Students who aspire to represent India at the world’s biggest mathematics competitions can now register for the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) 2026. Organised by the Mathematics Teachers’ Association of India (MTAI) under the guidance of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR, the examination serves as the first stage of the country’s Mathematical Olympiad programme.
Those who qualify will move forward to the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) 2027 and, eventually, compete for a place in India’s teams for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2027 and the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2028.
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Registration Process Begins; Exam Scheduled for September 6
The registration process has already started, and eligible students can now submit their applications through their registered school examination centres.
At the same time, students who wish to apply independently can complete their online registration through the official portal. However, all candidates must complete the registration process on or before July 25, 2026.
The IOQM 2026 examination will be conducted offline on Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (IST).
| Event | Date / Details |
|---|---|
| Centre Registration | June 1 – June 26, 2026 |
| Student Registration (Through School Centre) | June 1 – July 25, 2026 |
| Individual Online Registration | June 29 – July 25, 2026 |
| Last Date to Register | July 25, 2026 |
| IOQM 2026 Examination | September 6, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Examination Time | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (IST) |
Students Must Meet the Prescribed Eligibility Conditions
Before applying, students should carefully verify that they satisfy all the eligibility requirements.
The examination is open to students currently studying in Classes 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. In addition, applicants must have been born between August 1, 2007, and July 31, 2014. Students born on or after August 1, 2014, will not be permitted to appear for the examination.
Furthermore, candidates must be eligible to hold an Indian passport. Students holding OCI cards may appear provisionally under the prescribed conditions. However, under the current policy, they cannot represent India at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), or Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (APMO).
The eligibility rules also require that students must have been residing and studying in India, or studying in an Indian school system, since October 30, 2024. Moreover, applicants must not have completed or been scheduled to appear for their Class 12 Board examination before October 30, 2026. Likewise, they must not have started, or planned to start, university-level studies before June 1, 2027.
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Registration Fee Varies by School Category
The registration fee depends on the type of school in which the student is enrolled.
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) Students | ₹180 |
| Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Students | ₹180 |
| All Other Schools & Individual Students | ₹300 |
The organisers have clarified that this fee applies only to Stage 1 (IOQM). Therefore, students who qualify for subsequent stages will not have to pay any additional examination fee.
Offline Examination Will Test Mathematical Thinking
Unlike routine school examinations, IOQM primarily evaluates logical reasoning and mathematical problem-solving ability.
The examination will be conducted in offline pen-and-paper mode using an OMR answer sheet. Students will receive 30 questions carrying a total of 100 marks, which will be divided into three sections:
- 10 questions carrying 2 marks each
- 10 questions carrying 3 marks each
- 10 questions carrying 5 marks each
Candidates must enter every answer as a non-negative two-digit integer between 00 and 99. Importantly, the examination carries no negative marking, allowing students to attempt every question without the fear of losing marks for incorrect answers.
Students scoring 10 marks or above will also receive an official IOQM Participation Certificate.
Syllabus Focuses on Reasoning Rather Than Memorisation
Instead of testing rote learning, the examination focuses on conceptual understanding and analytical thinking.
The syllabus covers Number Theory, Arithmetic, Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Algebra, Linear and Quadratic Equations, Trigonometry, Combinatorics, Probability, Polynomial Factorisation, Inequalities, Sequences and Series, Complex Numbers, and Elementary Graph Theory.
However, Calculus is not included in the syllabus.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for IOQM 2026
| Step | What You Need to Do |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Visit the Official Portal | Open the official IOQM registration website: ioqm.mtai.org.in. Avoid using any third-party websites. |
| Step 2: Choose Your Registration Mode | Select Online Student Enrollment for individual registration, or contact your school’s examination coordinator if you are registering through an approved examination centre. |
| Step 3: Fill in Your Details | Enter your full name, date of birth, gender, current class, and complete school details exactly as per your official records. |
| Step 4: Upload Required Documents | Upload all required documents in the prescribed format and file size mentioned on the registration portal. |
| Step 5: Confirm Your Eligibility | Verify that you meet all eligibility conditions, including the prescribed date of birth, and submit the online declaration. |
| Step 6: Pay the Registration Fee | Complete the payment using UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card through the secure online payment gateway. |
| Step 7: Download the Confirmation Slip | After successful registration, download and save your confirmation slip and enrollment number. You will need these later to download your admit card and for future reference. |
| Important Tip | Carefully review every detail before submitting the form. Even a small spelling mistake in your name, date of birth, or school details may create problems while generating your admit card or participation certificate. |
IOQM Is the First Step Towards the International Mathematical Olympiad
Qualifying in IOQM allows students to progress through India’s official Mathematical Olympiad selection process.
The journey begins with IOQM, followed by the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) and the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO). Successful candidates then attend the International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC) at HBCSE, Mumbai. Finally, the best performers earn the opportunity to represent India at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Students Should Apply Before the Deadline
Interested students can register through the official portals ioqm.mtai.org.in or ioqmexam.in before July 25, 2026.
| Purpose | Official Link |
|---|---|
| IOQM Online Registration Portal | https://ioqm.mtai.org.in |
| IOQM Examination Information Portal | https://ioqmexam.in |
| HBCSE Olympiad Information | https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in |
| Mathematics Teachers’ Association of India (MTAI) | https://www.mtai.org.in |
IOQM 2026 Registration and Application Form Link (Active)
Since the organisers will verify eligibility at every stage, applicants should carefully read the guidelines before submitting their forms. Any candidate who does not satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions may be disqualified from the programme, even after registration.
Q1. What is IOQM 2026?
Answer: IOQM 2026 is the first stage of India’s Mathematical Olympiad selection process leading to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Q2. Who can apply for IOQM 2026?
Answer: Students studying in Classes 8 to 12 who meet the prescribed age and eligibility criteria can apply.
Q3. What is the last date to register for IOQM 2026?
Answer: The last date for student registration is July 25, 2026.
Q4. When will the IOQM 2026 examination be held?
Answer: The examination will be conducted on September 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (IST).
Q5. Is there any negative marking in IOQM 2026?
Answer: No. The examination does not have negative marking.
