-Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal has received one Honorable Mention Award at the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2025), held in Mumbai, India. The prestigious competition, conducted from August 11–21, 2025 (Shrawan 26–Bhadra 5, 2082 B.S.), brought together 288 students from 63 countries to showcase their knowledge and skills in astronomy, astrophysics, and related sciences.
During the event, participants undertook examinations with a total of 600 points—300 in theory and 300 in practical. The practical examination was divided into four sections: Telescope (50), Sky Map (50), Planetarium (50), and Data Analysis (150). Based on their scores, the organizers awarded a total of 170 participants: 50 gold medals, 51 silver medals, 43 bronze medals, and 26 Honorable Mention Awards. Among these, Nepal’s Pratyush Poudel from Pokhara achieved an outstanding performance and received the Honorable Mention Award for Nepal.
Nepal’s 7-member delegation comprised two team leaders—Suresh Bhattarai (Sindhupalchok) and Manisha Dwa (Kaski)—along with five students: Ayush Tiwari (Morang), Osish Niraula (Morang), Pratyush Poudel (Kaski), Asbin Dhakal (Kaski), and Trishav Timilsina (Morang).
This recognition marks a significant achievement for Nepal, highlighting the growing capabilities and presence of Nepali youth in international scientific competitions. Earlier, Pratyush had secured third place in the 12th National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO 2025) held in Nepal, which earned him a spot in the national team for IOAA.
His success at the international level not only reflects his dedication and hard work but also demonstrates the effectiveness of Nepal’s continuous efforts to encourage young scientific talents through the National Astronomy Olympiad program. This accomplishment is expected to inspire more Nepali students in the coming years to pursue astronomy and astrophysics with passion and determination.
We sincerely extend our gratitude to the parents, schools, teachers, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the relevant local governments, District Administration Offices, the National Child Rights Council, and the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, whose support has been crucial in enabling the participation of students, including minors, in this program.
For further information regarding the National Astronomy Olympiad program, the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Nepal’s participation and achievements since 2014, please feel free to contact us.
