India’s student team made the nation proud at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025, held in Dubai from July 5 to 14, 2025. The team returned home with an impressive tally of two gold and two silver medals, placing India sixth out of 90 participating countries. The victory not only reflects the country’s growing scientific talent but also underscores the strength of India’s Olympiad training ecosystem. 

The IChO is one of the most prestigious global science competitions for high school students, and India’s consistent performance has placed it among the leading nations in science education.

Meet the Champions: Four Stars and One Flag 

Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya from Jalgaon, Maharashtra (gold) 

Sandeep Kuchi from Hyderabad, Telangana (gold) 

Debadatta Priyadarshi from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha (silver) 

Ujjwal Kesari from New Delhi (silver) 

The star students emerged victorious after a challenging and highly competitive selection process, demonstrating not only academic excellence but also remarkable determination and focus. Their efforts, backed by world-class mentorship and a robust selection pipeline, placed India among the top performers in the competition.

Behind the Medals: The Road to the IChO

India’s participation in the IChO is not a one-day event. This study is the result of a carefully structured national selection process spearheaded by the Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai, under the TIFR. Under the National Olympiad Examinations, students go through multiple rounds of rigorous testing, including written exams, theoretical assessments, and experimental problem-solving. 

Those who qualify are trained extensively through residential camps where they undergo in-depth theory classes and hands-on laboratory sessions. Their guidance helped the students sharpen their problem-solving abilities, build confidence, and prepare for the intense global competition.

The Global Chemistry Stage: What is IChO?

The International Chemistry Olympiad was first held in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1968. Since then, it has grown into one of the world’s most respected academic competitions for high school students. Teams from across the globe come together to test chemistry knowledge and practical skills. At IChO, students face two main challenges: a theoretical paper and an experimental laboratory test. The questions are designed to push participants beyond textbook knowledge, encouraging critical thinking, precision, and creativity. 

The 2025 edition, hosted in Dubai, UAE, saw 354 students from 90 countries and five observer nations. Despite the global competition and difficulty level, India’s team performed exceptionally well, demonstrating the depth of talent and training at home. While medals and rankings are often the most talked about aspects, the real story lies in the months of preparation, sleepless nights, and tireless efforts of students, parents, mentors, and institutions. These young achievers come from diverse parts of India. Each carrying their own dreams, hopes, and ambitions.

Institutional Backbone: A National Science Commitment

The success of IChO 2025 also highlights the role of national institutions and government agencies in supporting science Olympiads. The efforts are coordinated through the National Steering Committee on Science Olympiads, with support from the Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Space, and the Ministry of Education. The journey of India’s IChO team reminds us that brilliance is not limited to elite schools or big cities. It lives in every corner of the country, waiting to be discovered and empowered.