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Talent Certifications Regional Olympiads (India) Physics

INPhO

Indian National Physics Olympiad

Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Written examination (second stage of the programme), as set by HBCSE.
Annual (a new selection cycle is announced each year)

Official website ↗

About This Exam

Talent Certifications Regional Olympiads (India)
Conducted byHomi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Exam typeWritten examination (second stage of the programme), as set by HBCSE.Source: Science Olympiad Brochure 2026-27 (English), p. 15
FieldPhysics
Who can applyStudents selected from NSEP on score, with state-wise representation, in two class groups (Class 12; Classes 10-11). Selected students must register on the HBCSE site.
Age / classClass 10, 11 or 12
How oftenAnnual (a new selection cycle is announced each year)
StagesStage I: National Standard Examination. Stage II: Indian National Olympiad. Stage III: Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp. Stage IV: training of the Indian team at HBCSE. Stage V: the international Olympiad.Source: Science Olympiad Brochure 2026-27 (English), Stage III p. 16; Stages IV and V p. 20
What it leads toTop INPhO performers are called to the Physics Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp (OCSC).
Talent categoryOlympiads
PathwayNSEP > INPhO > OCSC (Physics) > IPhO
RecognitionGovernment
LevelNational
AchievementCertificate of Merit for scores at or above that of the last student selected for the camp.

Exam pattern

Second stage of the Science Olympiad programme: the Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO), a written examination. INPhO paper: written, 3 hours. Its syllabus is broadly equivalent to that of NSEP, at the level of senior secondary (up to and including Class 12) of CBSE; questions are usually non-conventional and of high difficulty.

Read from: Science Olympiad Brochure 2026-27 (English), p. 15, table of second stage examinations

Syllabus

Physics19 topic groups
I. Units and Measurements

Units of measurement; systems of units; SI units, fundamental and derived units. Length, mass and time measurements; accuracy and precision of measuring instruments; errors in measurement; significant figures; Dimensions of physical quantities, dimensional analysis and its applications

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit I
II. Motion in a Straight Line

Frame of reference, Motion in a straight line: Position-time graph, speed and velocity; Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration for describing motion, uniform and non- uniform motion, average speed and instantaneous velocity, uniformly accelerated motion, velocity - time and position-time graphs; Relations for uniformly accelerated motion (graphical treatment)

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit II
III. Motion in a Plane

Scalar and vector quantities; position and displacement vectors, general vectors and their notations; equality of vectors, multiplication of vectors by a real number; addition and subtraction of vectors, relative velocity, Unit vector; resolution of a vector in a plane, rectangular components, Scalar and Vector product of vectors; Motion in a plane, cases of uniform velocity and uniform acceleration-projectile motion, uniform circular motion

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit III
IV. Laws of Motion

Intuitive concept of force, Inertia, Newton's first law of motion; momentum and Newton's second law of motion; impulse; Newton's third law of motion; Law of conservation of linear momentum and its applications; Equilibrium of concurrent forces, Static and kinetic friction, laws of friction, lubrication; Dynamics of uniform circular motion: Centripetal force, examples of circular motion (vehicle on a level circular road, vehicle on a banked road)

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit IV
V. Work, Energy and Power

Work done by a constant force and a variable force; kinetic energy, work-energy theorem, power; Notion of potential energy, potential energy of a spring, conservative forces: conservation of mechanical energy (kinetic and potential energies); non-conservative forces: motion in a vertical circle; elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit V
VI. System of Particles and Rotational Motion

Centre of mass of a two-particle system, momentum conservation and centre of mass motion; Centre of mass of a rigid body; centre of mass of a uniform rod; Moment of a force, torque, angular momentum, law of conservation of angular momentum and its applications; Equilibrium of rigid bodies, rigid body rotation and equations of rotational motion, comparison of linear and rotational motions; Moment of inertia, radius of gyration, values of moments of inertia for simple geometrical objects (no derivation). Statement of parallel and perpendicular axes theorems and their applications

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit VI
VII. Gravitation

Kepler's laws of planetary motion, universal law of gravitation. Acceleration due to gravity and its variation with altitude and depth; Gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential, escape velocity, orbital velocity of a satellite, Geo-stationary satellites

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit VII
VIII. Mechanical Properties of Solids

Elastic behaviour, Stress-strain relationship, Hooke's law, Young's modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus of rigidity, Poisson's ratio; elastic energy

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit VIII
IX. Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Pressure due to a fluid column; Pascal's law and its applications (hydraulic lift and hydraulic brakes), effect of gravity on fluid pressure; Viscosity, Stokes' law, terminal velocity, streamline and turbulent flow, critical velocity, Bernoulli's theorem and its applications; Surface energy and surface tension, angle of contact, excess of pressure across a curved surface, application of surface tension ideas to drops, bubbles and capillary rise

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit IX
X. Thermal Properties of Matter

Heat, temperature, thermal expansion; thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases, anomalous expansion of water; specific heat capacity; Cp, Cv - calorimetry; change of state - latent heat capacity; Heat transfer-conduction, convection and radiation, thermal conductivity, qualitative ideas of Blackbody radiation, Wien's displacement Law, Stefan's law, Greenhouse effect

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit X
XI. Thermodynamics

Thermal equilibrium and definition of temperature (zeroth law of thermodynamics), heat, work and internal energy. Thermodynamic state variables and equation of state, First law of thermodynamics, isothermal and adiabatic processes; Second law of thermodynamics: reversible and irreversible processes, Heat engine and refrigerator

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XI
XII. Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory of Gases

Equation of state of a perfect gas, work done in compressing a gas; Kinetic theory of gases - assumptions, concept of pressure. Kinetic interpretation of temperature; rms speed of gas molecules; degrees of freedom, law of equi-partition of energy (statement only) and application to specific heat capacities of gases; concept of mean free path, Avogadro's number

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XII
XIII. Oscillations and Waves

Oscillations: Periodic motion - time period, frequency, displacement as a function of time, periodic functions; Simple harmonic motion (S.H.M) and its equation; phase; oscillations of a loaded spring-restoring force and force constant; energy in S.H.M. Kinetic and potential energies; simple pendulum derivation of expression for its time period. Free, forced and damped oscillations (qualitative ideas only), Resonance; Waves: Wave motion: Transverse and longitudinal waves, speed of travelling wave, displacement relation for a progressive wave, principle of superposition of waves, reflection of waves, standing waves in strings and organ pipes, fundamental mode and harmonics, Beats, Doppler effect

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XIII
XIV. Electrostatics

Electric Charges and Fields: Electric Charges; Conservation of charge, Coulomb's law-force between two point charges, forces between multiple charges; superposition principle and continuous charge distribution; Electric field, electric field due to a point charge, electric field lines, electric dipole, electric field due to a dipole, torque on a dipole in uniform electric field; Electric flux, statement of Gauss's theorem and its applications to find field due to infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet and uniformly charged thin spherical shell (field inside and outside); Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance: Electric potential, potential difference, electric potential due to a point charge, a dipole and system of charges; equipotential surfaces, electrical potential energy of a system of two point charges and of electric dipole in an electrostatic field; Conductors and insulators, free charges and bound charges inside a conductor. Dielectrics and electric polarisation, capacitors and capacitance, combination of capacitors in series and in parallel, capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with and without dielectric medium between the plates, energy stored in a capacitor; Current Electricity: Electric current, flow of electric charges in a metallic conductor, drift velocity, mobility and their relation with electric current; Ohm's law, electrical resistance, V-I characteristics (linear and non-linear), electrical energy and power, electrical resistivity and conductivity, Carbon resistors, colour code for carbon resistors; series and parallel combinations of resistors; temperature dependence of resistance. Internal resistance of a cell, potential difference and emf of a cell, combination of cells in series and in parallel, Kirchhoff's laws and simple applications, Wheatstone bridge, metre bridge; Potentiometer - principle and its applications to measure potential difference and for comparing EMF of two cells; measurement of internal resistance of a cell

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XIV
XV. Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism

Moving Charges and Magnetism: Concept of magnetic field, Oersted's experiment; Biot - Savart law and its application to current carrying circular loop; Ampere's law and its applications to infinitely long straight wire. Straight and toroidal solenoids (only qualitative treatment), force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields, Cyclotron; Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field, force between two parallel current-carrying conductors-definition of ampere, torque experienced by a current loop in uniform magnetic field; moving coil galvanometer-its current sensitivity and conversion to ammeter and voltmeter; Magnetism and Matter: Current loop as a magnetic dipole and its magnetic dipole moment, magnetic dipole moment of a revolving electron, magnetic field intensity due to a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) along its axis and perpendicular to its axis, torque on a magnetic dipole (bar magnet) in a uniform magnetic field; bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid, magnetic field lines; earth's magnetic field and magnetic elements; Para-, dia- and ferro - magnetic substances, with examples. Electromagnets and factors affecting their strengths, permanent magnets; Electromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic induction; Faraday's laws, induced EMF and current; Lenz's Law, Eddy currents. Self and mutual induction; Alternating Current: Alternating currents, peak and RMS value of alternating current/voltage; reactance and impedance; LC oscillations (qualitative treatment only), LCR series circuit, resonance; power in AC circuits, power factor, wattless current. AC generator and transformer; Electromagnetic Waves: Basic idea of displacement current, Electromagnetic waves, their characteristics, their Transverse nature (qualitative ideas only). Electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XV
XVI. Optics

Ray Optics and Optical Instruments: Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula, refraction of light, total internal reflection and its applications, optical fibers, refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses, thin lens formula, lensmaker's formula, magnification, power of a lens, combination of thin lenses in contact, refraction of light through a prism; Scattering of light - blue colour of sky and reddish appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset; Optical instruments: Microscopes and astronomical telescopes (reflecting and refracting) and their magnifying powers; Wave optics: Wavefront and Huygens’ principle, reflection and refraction of plane wave at a plane surface using wave fronts. Proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygens’ principle; Interference, Young's double slit experiment and expression for fringe width, coherent sources and sustained interference of light, diffraction due to a single slit, width of central maximum, resolving power of microscope and astronomical telescope, polarisation, plane polarised light, Brewster's law, uses of plane polarised light and Polaroids

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XVI
XVII. Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Dual nature of radiation, Photoelectric effect, Hertz and Lenard's observations; Einstein's photoelectric equation-particle nature of light. Experimental study of the photoelectric effect; Matter waves-wave nature of particles, de-Broglie relation, Davisson-Germer experiment (experimental details should be omitted; only conclusion should be explained)

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XVII
XVIII. Atoms and Nuclei

Atoms: Alpha-particle scattering experiment; Rutherford's model of atom; Bohr model, energy levels, hydrogen spectrum; Nuclei: Composition and size of nucleus, Radioactivity, alpha, beta and gamma particles/rays and their properties; radioactive decay law, half life and mean life; Mass-energy relation, mass defect; binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number; nuclear fission, nuclear fusion

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XVIII
XIX. Electronic Devices

Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits; Energy bands in conductors, semiconductors and insulators (qualitative ideas only); Semiconductor diode - I-V characteristics in forward and reverse bias, diode as a rectifier; Special purpose p-n junction diodes: LED, photodiode, solar cell and Zener diode and their characteristics, zener diode as a voltage regulator

Read from: Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE), 'Physics' tab, unit XIX

Official links and how they were checked

  • Olympiads - Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education Verified against the document
    Official website · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2026 · checked 5 Oct 2026
    Opened https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/ on 2026-10-05; it is the Olympiads site of HBCSE (TIFR) and links the Syllabus, Olympiad Books, Information Brochures, Stages and Past papers pages and the 2026-2027 Mathematical and Science Olympiad pages.
  • Syllabus - Olympiads (HBCSE) Verified against the document
    Syllabus · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2026 · checked 5 Oct 2026
    Opened https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/syllabus/ on 2026-10-05 and read its text. The page carries the 'Syllabus for National Standard Examination and Indian National Olympiad in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and Junior Science' (tabs Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Junior Science) and a 'Mathematical Olympiad' tab. Every topic list in this file was cut from that page text and compared back with it (lower-case letters and digits only, ignoring spacing): every unit title and every topic phrase occurs in the page text. Not compared: the page as rendered (images); the lists of recommended books on the Mathematical tab are not syllabus and are not copied.
  • Science Olympiad Brochure 2026-27 (English) Verified against the document
    Exam scheme / pattern · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2026 · checked 5 Oct 2026
    Downloaded the 32-page PDF linked from https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/science-olympiad-2026-2027/ on 2026-10-05 and read its text layer. It describes Stage I (National Standard Examination), Stage II (Indian National Olympiads, p. 15), Stage III (Orientation-Cum-Selection Camps, p. 16), Stage IV (training at HBCSE, p. 20) and Stage V (international Olympiads, p. 20). The statements recorded in this file (stage names, what a camp does, the INO duration and the syllabus level) were each checked against those pages. Dates, venues, quotas and fees on those pages are not copied.
  • INPhO 2025 - Question paper (Hindi) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2025 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (Hindi)' for 2025. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2025 - Question paper (English) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2025 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (English)' for 2025. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2025 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2025 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2025. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2025 - Answer booklet Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2025 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Answer Booklet' for 2025. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2024 - Question paper (Hindi) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2024 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (Hindi)' for 2024. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2024 - Question paper (English) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2024 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (English)' for 2024. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2024 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2024 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2024. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2024 - Answer booklet Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2024 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Answer Booklet' for 2024. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 206, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2023 - Question paper (Hindi) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2023 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (Hindi)' for 2023. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2023 - Question paper (English) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2023 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (English)' for 2023. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2023 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2023 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2023. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2022 - Question paper (Hindi) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2022 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (Hindi)' for 2022. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2022 - Question paper (English) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2022 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (English)' for 2022. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2022 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2022 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2022. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2021 - Question paper (English) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2021 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (English)' for 2021. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2021 - Question paper (Hindi) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2021 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (Hindi)' for 2021. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2021 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2021 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2021. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2020 - Question paper (English) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2020 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (English)' for 2020. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2020 - Question paper (Hindi) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2020 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (Hindi)' for 2020. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2020 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2020 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2020. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2019 - Question paper (Hindi) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2019 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (Hindi)' for 2019. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 206, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2019 - Question paper (English) Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2019 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'QP (English)' for 2019. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2019 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2019 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2019. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2018 - Question paper Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2018 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper' for 2018. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2018 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2018 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2018. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2017 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2017 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper & Model Solutions' for 2017. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2016 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2016 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper & Model Solutions' for 2016. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2015 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2015 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper & Model Solutions' for 2015. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2014 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2014 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper & Model Solutions' for 2014. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2013 - Question paper Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2013 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper' for 2013. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2013 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2013 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2013. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2012 - Question paper Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2012 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper' for 2012. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2012 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2012 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2012. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2011 - Question paper Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2011 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper' for 2011. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2010 - Question paper Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2010 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper' for 2010. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2010 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2010 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2010. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2009 - Question paper Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2009 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper' for 2009. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2009 - Solutions Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2009 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Model Solutions' for 2009. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • INPhO 2008 - Question paper Opened; part could not be confirmed
    Sample / previous-year papers · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2008 · checked 6 Oct 2026
    Listed on HBCSE's Past papers page (https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/past-papers/), Physics tab, as 'Question Paper' for 2008. Reachability checked on 2026-10-06: HTTP 200, application/pdf. The file's contents were not read: this is a link to the official paper, not a copy, and nothing in it is used as a source of the syllabus.
  • Olympiad Books - Olympiads (HBCSE) Verified against the document
    Prescribed / recommended reading (published by the body) · Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research · 2026 · checked 5 Oct 2026
    Opened https://olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/how-to-prepare/olympiad-books/ on 2026-10-05; it lists the books HBCSE sells or recommends for the Science and Mathematical Olympiads (INPhO, INChO, INBO, INAO problem books, experimental problem books, and the Mathematical Olympiad books). It is a book list, not a syllabus, and no chapter cites it.
NSEP→ INPhO →OCSC Physics

Official website ↗

Details checked against official sources on 6 Oct 2026. Always confirm against the current official notification before applying. [1] [2] [3]

Subjects and Chapters

1 subjects • 19 chapters • 154 classes
01
Physics
19 chapters
LAPT Schools
Physics
Indian National Physics Olympiad
PhysicsLAPT Books · Indian National Physics Olympiad All books of this class ›
I. Units and Measurements 8 classes
Units, Systems of Units and the SI
Measuring Length, Mass and Time
Accuracy, Precision and Errors in Measurement
Significant Figures and Rounding
Propagation of Errors
Dimensions and Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional Analysis as a Tool of Discovery
Estimation, Orders of Magnitude and Graphs
II. Motion in a Straight Line 7 classes
Frame of Reference, Position and Displacement
Speed, Velocity and the Position-Time Graph
Differentiation and Integration for Describing Motion
Uniform and Non-Uniform Motion
Uniformly Accelerated Motion: Graphs and Relations
Free Fall and Relative Motion in a Line
Graph Reasoning and Multi-Step Problems
III. Motion in a Plane 7 classes
Scalars, Vectors and Unit Vectors
Adding, Subtracting and Resolving Vectors
Scalar and Vector Products
Relative Velocity: River-Boat and Rain-Man
Motion in a Plane: Uniform Velocity, Uniform Acceleration, Projectiles
Projectiles Beyond the Textbook: Heights, Inclines and the Envelope
Uniform Circular Motion
IV. Laws of Motion 7 classes
Force, Inertia and Newton's First Law
Momentum, Newton's Second Law and Impulse
Newton's Third Law and Conservation of Linear Momentum
Free-Body Diagrams and Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces
Friction: Static, Kinetic, Rolling and Lubrication
Strings, Pulleys, Constraints and Moving Wedges
Dynamics of Uniform Circular Motion
V. Work, Energy and Power 7 classes
Work Done by Constant and Variable Forces
Kinetic Energy, the Work-Energy Theorem and Power
Conservative Forces, Potential Energy and Equilibrium
Conservation of Energy with Springs and Friction
Motion in a Vertical Circle
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions in One Dimension
Collisions in Two Dimensions and Problem Strategy
VI. System of Particles and Rotational Motion 8 classes
Centre of Mass of Particles and the Motion of the Centre of Mass
Centre of Mass of Rigid Bodies and the Uniform Rod
Moment of a Force, Torque and Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies
Moment of Inertia and Radius of Gyration
Parallel and Perpendicular Axes Theorems
Rotation About a Fixed Axis: Equations of Rotational Motion
Angular Momentum and Its Conservation
Rolling Without Slipping and Combined Translation and Rotation
VII. Gravitation 7 classes
Kepler's Laws and the Universal Law of Gravitation
Acceleration Due to Gravity and Its Variation with Altitude
Variation of g with Depth and the Shell Theorem
Gravitational Potential Energy and Potential
Escape Velocity
Orbital Velocity and the Energy of a Satellite
Geostationary Satellites
VIII. Mechanical Properties of Solids 6 classes
Elastic Behaviour, Stress and Strain
The Stress-Strain Curve and Hooke's Law
Young's Modulus and Wires Under Load
Bulk Modulus and Shear Modulus of Rigidity
Poisson's Ratio and the Links Between the Moduli
Elastic Energy
IX. Mechanical Properties of Fluids 8 classes
Pressure in a Fluid at Rest and the Effect of Gravity
Pascal's Law, Hydraulic Lift and Hydraulic Brakes
Viscosity, Stokes' Law and Terminal Velocity
Streamline and Turbulent Flow, Critical Velocity
Bernoulli's Theorem
Applications of Bernoulli's Theorem: Torricelli and Venturi
Surface Tension, Surface Energy and Angle of Contact
Excess Pressure, Drops, Bubbles and Capillary Rise
X. Thermal Properties of Matter 7 classes
Heat, Temperature and Linear Expansion of Solids
Composite Bars, Bimetallic Strips, Pendulum Clocks and Thermal Stress
Expansion of Liquids and Gases and the Anomalous Behaviour of Water
Specific Heat Capacity, Cp and Cv
Calorimetry and Change of State: Latent Heat
Conduction and Convection: Thermal Conductivity
Radiation: Blackbody, Wien's Law, Stefan's Law and the Greenhouse Effect
XI. Thermodynamics 7 classes
Thermal Equilibrium, Temperature, Heat, Work and Internal Energy
State Variables, the Equation of State and Work on a p-V Diagram
The First Law of Thermodynamics and Its Simple Applications
Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes
The Second Law of Thermodynamics: Reversible and Irreversible Processes
Heat Engines and the Carnot Cycle
Refrigerators
XII. Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory of Gases 7 classes
The Ideal Gas and Its Equation of State
Work Done in Compressing a Gas
Kinetic Theory: Assumptions and the Origin of Pressure
Temperature and the RMS Speed of Molecules
Degrees of Freedom, Equipartition and Specific Heats
Collisions and the Mean Free Path
Avogadro's Number and Counting Molecules
XIII. Oscillations and Waves 11 classes
Periodic Motion and the Equation of S.H.M.
Velocity, Acceleration and Phase in S.H.M.
Oscillations of a Loaded Spring
Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
The Simple Pendulum
Free, Forced and Damped Oscillations; Resonance
Wave Motion and the Progressive Wave
Superposition and Reflection of Waves
Standing Waves: Strings and Organ Pipes
Beats
The Doppler Effect
XIV. Electrostatics 12 classes
Electric Charge, Coulomb's Law and Superposition
Electric Field, Field Lines and the Electric Dipole
Electric Flux and Gauss's Law
Electric Potential, Potential Difference and Equipotentials
Electrostatic Potential Energy, Conductors and Insulators
Capacitors, Dielectrics and Stored Energy
Electric Current, Drift Velocity and Ohm's Law
Electrical Energy and Power, Carbon Resistors, and Combinations of Resistors
EMF, Internal Resistance and Combinations of Cells
Kirchhoff's Laws and Simple Applications
Wheatstone Bridge and Metre Bridge
The Potentiometer
XV. Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism 12 classes
Magnetic Field, Oersted and the Biot–Savart Law
Ampere's Law, Straight Wire, Solenoid and Toroid
Charges in Magnetic and Electric Fields; the Cyclotron
Force on a Conductor and Between Parallel Wires
Torque on a Loop and the Moving Coil Galvanometer
The Magnetic Dipole: Loop, Electron Orbit and Bar Magnet
Earth's Magnetism, Magnetic Materials and Electromagnets
Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday, Lenz and Eddy Currents
Self and Mutual Induction
Alternating Current, Reactance, Impedance and Resonance
Power in AC Circuits, the Generator and the Transformer
Displacement Current, Electromagnetic Waves and the Spectrum
XVI. Optics 11 classes
Reflection of Light and Spherical Mirrors
Refraction, Total Internal Reflection and Optical Fibres
Refraction at a Spherical Surface
Thin Lenses and the Lens Maker's Formula
Power of a Lens and Lenses in Contact
Prism and the Scattering of Light
Microscopes and Astronomical Telescopes
Wavefronts and Huygens' Principle
Interference and Young's Double Slit Experiment
Diffraction by a Single Slit and Resolving Power
Polarisation, Brewster's Law and Polaroids
XVII. Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter 7 classes
Dual Nature, Work Function and the Observations of Hertz and Lenard
Experimental Study of the Photoelectric Effect: Four Laws
Einstein's Photoelectric Equation and the Particle Nature of Light
Photons: Energy, Momentum and Photon Counting
Photoelectric Problems: Graphs and Collector Potential
Matter Waves and the de Broglie Relation
Davisson-Germer Conclusion and Wave-Particle Duality
XVIII. Atoms and Nuclei 8 classes
Alpha-particle scattering and Rutherford's nuclear model
The Bohr model: orbits, radii and energies
Energy levels and the hydrogen spectrum
Composition and size of the nucleus
Radioactivity: alpha, beta and gamma radiation
The radioactive decay law, half-life and mean life
Mass-energy relation, mass defect and binding energy
Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
XIX. Electronic Devices 7 classes
Energy Bands: Conductors, Semiconductors and Insulators
The p-n Junction: Depletion Layer and Barrier
Diode I-V Characteristics and Simple Circuits
The Diode as a Rectifier
LED and Photodiode
The Solar Cell
Zener Diode as a Voltage Regulator

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