NSEA guide
The Astronomy Olympiad for Classes 10 to 12, from IAPT’s 2026 brochure and HBCSE’s 2026–27 pages — who can sit NSEA, what the paper looks like, and every stage up to IOAA.
- Conducted by
- IAPT (NSEA); HBCSE from INAO onwards
- Academic responsibility
- IAPT
- Classes
- 10, 11 or 12
- Paper
- 60 multiple-choice questions, 216 marks
- Duration
- 2 hours
- 2026 sitting
- Saturday 21 November 2026
What is NSEA?
NSEA, the National Standard Examination in Astronomy, is the first stage of the Astronomy Olympiad in India, set at Class 12 level. IAPT conducts it; students who do well sit INAO, conducted by HBCSE.
IAPT describes the National Standard Examinations as the first stage and the only screening tests in India leading to the International Olympiads in their subjects.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
Who can sit NSEA?
For NSEA 2026: any student of Class 10, 11 or 12 on 30 November 2026, born 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2012, not having completed (or scheduled to complete) Class 12 boards before 30 November 2026.
IAPT’s NSE 2026 page gives the class rule; the birth-date, passport, residence, board, university, NSEJS and group rules below are from its student brochure, and the OCI note from HBCSE’s 2026–27 brochure.
| Class | Class 10, 11 or 12 on 30 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | Between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2012, both days inclusive |
| Nationality | Eligible to hold an Indian passport |
| OCI students | Provisionally eligible for every stage up to and including the OCSC, but not for selection to the Indian team, under the Madras High Court orders HBCSE cites |
| Residence | Residing and studying in India, or studying in an Indian school system, since 30 November 2024 or earlier |
| Class 12 board | Must not have completed (or be scheduled to complete) the Class 12 board examination earlier than 30 November 2026 |
| University | Must not have commenced (or be planning to commence) studies at a university or equivalent institution by 1 June 2027 |
| NSEJS | Must not be appearing in NSEJS 2026 |
| Selection groups | Group A: Class XII on 30 November 2026. Group B: Class XI or lower. Selection for the INO is made separately within each group |
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
What is the NSEA exam pattern?
A two-hour paper of 60 multiple-choice questions for 216 marks: 48 with one correct option, at +3 and −1, and 12 worth 6 marks each with one or more correct options.
| Part | Questions | Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Single correct option | 48 | +3 for the correct choice, −1 for an incorrect choice |
| One or more correct options | 12 | 6 marks each; credit only when every correct option and no incorrect option is marked |
| Total | 60 | 216 marks |
Time: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Saturday 21 November 2026, at the student’s NSE centre.
Language: English or Hindi, chosen at registration.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
What is the NSEA syllabus?
IAPT’s syllabus for NSEA and INAO has three parts — Physics and Mathematics to CBSE Class 12 level, and elementary astronomical notions. In-depth astronomy is not required; basic familiarity with its terms is.
The Physics part is the NSEP syllabus. General understanding of Science and Mathematics to Class 10 is expected as well.
- Physics
- Mathematics
- The Solar System and associated phenomena
- Stars, galaxies and clusters of galaxies
- The night sky
- Working principle of telescopes
- Historical landmarks in astronomy
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
What comes after NSEA?
Students selected on their NSEA scores sit INAO, the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad, conducted by HBCSE. The best from INAO attend a selection camp at HBCSE, which picks India’s IOAA team.
- NSEAIAPT
Selection for INAO is by NSEA score, within each class group. A student must reach the Minimum Admissible Score — half the average of the top ten scores, rounded down — and the target is 250 students per group, with state-wise representation.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
- INAOHBCSE
The Indian National Astronomy Olympiad, on 30 January 2027, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. The list of selected students is published on IAPT’s website by 15 January 2027, and each must then register on HBCSE’s website for an admit card.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
- OCSCHBCSE
The Orientation-cum-Selection Camp at HBCSE, Mumbai. Students are invited in order of INAO merit, to a target of 50; the camp’s theory and experimental tests choose the team. HBCSE will announce the 2027 dates by 15 January 2027.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in (official document)
- Pre-departure trainingHBCSE
The selected team trains at HBCSE in theory, experiment and observational astronomy before leaving for the International Olympiad.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
- IOAA
The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics. HBCSE’s 2026–27 brochure selects 5 students for India’s team, on a combined merit list of every student at the Astronomy OCSC.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in (official document)
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
When is NSEA 2026?
IAPT holds NSEA on Saturday 21 November 2026, after a student enrolment window, and HBCSE holds INAO on 30 January 2027. Each is listed below with its status as of today; OCSC 2027 has no announced date yet.
Next: NSEA — 21 November 2026 (Upcoming)
| Exam | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSE student enrolmentExtended by IAPT. A student is enrolled by their centre in-charge or enrols individually. | 21 August – 16 September 2026 | Held | IAPT |
| NSEA | 21 November 2026 | Upcoming | IAPT |
| INAO, INChO | 30 January 2027 | Upcoming | HBCSE |
Checked against the official sources on 14 September 2026. Confirm on the conducting body's site before you rely on a date.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in
Where can a student find past NSEA papers?
IAPT sells booklets of the past ten years’ question papers with solutions or answers, one per subject, Astronomy included; its brochure explains how to order them.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
NSEA and INAO at Zigyan
Zigyan prepares students for the Astronomy Olympiad’s NSEA and INAO. Our Olympiad results page names the students who scored above the Minimum Admissible Score in Astronomy.
NSEA, answered
Can a Class 10 student sit NSEA?
Yes, if they meet IAPT’s eligibility rules, including the birth-date window. For 2026, IAPT opens NSEA to any student of Class 10, 11 or 12 on 30 November 2026 born between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2012.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in
Are Class 11 and Class 12 students ranked together for INAO?
No. IAPT’s brochure splits the NSEA pool into Group A (Class XII on 30 November 2026) and Group B (Class XI or lower), and applies the selection rules to each group separately.
The target is 250 students from each group, and both groups sit the same NSEA and INAO question papers.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
Is there negative marking in NSEA?
Yes, in the 48 single-answer questions: an incorrect choice loses 1 mark. The 12 multiple-answer questions score only when every correct option, and no incorrect one, is marked.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
Can a student sit NSEA and NSEJS in the same year?
No. A student sitting NSEA 2026 must not be appearing in NSEJS 2026.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in (official document)
Can a student attend more than one Olympiad camp in a year?
No. HBCSE’s 2026–27 brochure allows one OCSC or IMOTC a year; a student who qualifies in more than one subject is invited to the camp ranked highest in their own preference order.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in (official document)
How does a student enrol for NSEA?
Through their school or another registered NSE centre, whose in-charge enrols them, or individually online on IAPT’s website during the enrolment window.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: iapt.org.in
Who conducts NSEA and INAO?
IAPT conducts NSEA, the first stage. HBCSE is responsible for INAO and every stage after it, as both HBCSE’s stages page and IAPT’s brochure state.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
Do the first two Olympiad stages need special coaching?
HBCSE’s stages page says the first two stages — the NSE and the INO — do not necessarily require specialised coaching outside the regular school system. Training is part of the programme from the third stage.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026 · Source: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
Official sources
Every fact in this guide was read from the conducting bodies’ own pages and documents. Confirm on them before you rely on a date or rule — they change from cycle to cycle.
Preparing for Olympiads?
Sit the scholarship test and talk to a mentor about which programme fits.