Nepal Names 16 Students to Represent the Nation at Three International Astronomy Olympiads in 2026

- Kathmandu, Nepal

The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) has announced the sixteen students who will carry Nepal's flag at three international astronomy competitions later this year, following the successful conclusion of the 13th National Astronomy Olympiad 2026 (NAO2026). The selected students, drawn from the Senior and Junior merit lists of the national closed camp, will represent Nepal at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2026) in Hanoi, Vietnam; the 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA-jr 2026) in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand; and the 5th Open World Astronomy Olympiad (OWAO) in Sirius, Russia.

The Road from NAO2026

The 13th National Astronomy Olympiad 2026 reached its climax with a national-level closed camp held from June 1–7, 2026, bringing together the country's most promising young astronomers for an intensive week of instruction and examination. NASO released the final round results for both the Senior and Junior categories on June 15, 2026, publishing National Merit Lists of 40 students each.

In the Senior Category, Aryan Khadka of Kathmandu Model Secondary School, Lalitpur, topped the merit list, followed closely by Shashwot Regmi of Motherland Secondary School, Pokhara, and Krish Shrestha of SOS HGS School Gandaki, Pokhara. In the Junior Category, Shahwaz Alam of Bal Kalyan Vidhya Mandir, Biratnagar, led the field, with Sampanna Dahal of Kathmandu Pragya Kunja School and Abhibyakti Tamang of Little Angels' School, Hattiban, rounding out the top three.

All students on the merit lists - with the exception of two flagged for disciplinary review by the NAO2026 Organizing Committee - became eligible for selection to represent Nepal at this year's international olympiads, with final selection based on merit as well as interviews with students and their parents.

Orientation for the International Journey

On July 31, 2026, NASO's academic committee members held an online orientation session for the students shortlisted for the IOAA, IOAA-jr, and OWAO teams. During the session, committee members shared their own passion for astronomy, personal achievements, and guidance to help prepare the participants for the challenges ahead - both academic and personal - of representing Nepal on the international stage. The orientation marked the formal beginning of the journey for the sixteen students who now make up Team Nepal across the three competitions.

Team Nepal: 19th IOAA 2026 - Hanoi, Vietnam (September 25 - October 5, 2026)

Leading the senior delegation to Vietnam are Suresh Bhattarai and Manisha Dwa as Team Leaders. The five student representatives are:

• Aryan Khadka
• Shashwot Regmi
• Krish Shrestha
• Ankita Acharya
• Shubham Shrestha

Team Nepal: 5th IOAA-jr 2026 - Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand (November 1 - 8, 2026)

The junior delegation to Thailand will be led by Team Leaders Manisha Dwa and Oshan Sharma Kattel, accompanying five student representatives:

• Shahwaz Alam
• Evan Dubey
• Abhi Udaya Dhungana
• Sahaj KC
• Akhilesh Pokharel

Team Nepal: 5th OWAO 2026 - Sirius, Russia (November 6 - 14, 2026)

Team Leader Suresh Bhattarai will guide the six-student contingent travelling to Russia:

• Suyash Koirala
• Rivash Rai
• Om Raj Puri
• Sneha Koirala
• Dipchan Karki
• Garima Basnet

Pre-Departure Training Underway

Building on the momentum of the July orientation, NASO launched a structured pre-departure training programme on August 6, 2026, for all three teams. The training will continue in phases through each team's respective departure date, covering advanced problem-solving in theoretical and observational astronomy, data analysis, telescope handling, and the practical skills the students will need to compete at the international level. The programme is designed to run right up until each team departs to represent Nepal, ensuring the students arrive at Hanoi, Ubon Ratchathani, and Sirius fully prepared to compete against the world's brightest young astronomers.

NASO Chairperson Suresh Bhattarai congratulated all the students on the national merit lists and extended special wishes to the sixteen selected for international duty, noting that their preparation this year reflects the growing strength and depth of astronomy education across Nepal.

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For further details, contact the NASO Office at +977-9843708248, or visit olympiad page in our website www.nepalastronomicalsociety.org/olympiad

Call for Applications: All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign 2026–2027: Join the Hunt, Discover the Unknown

The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), in collaboration with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), is proud to open applications for the All-Nepal Asteroid Search Campaign 2026–2027 — a nationwide citizen science initiative inviting schools, colleges, astronomy clubs, and institutions across Nepal to take part in real, hands-on Near-Earth Asteroid research.

Since 2016, NASO and IASC have worked together to give Nepali students and astronomy enthusiasts the opportunity to search for and track Near-Earth Asteroids using real telescope data. This year, we're continuing that legacy — and we want your institution to be part of it.

Real Data. Real Discoveries. Real Impact.

This isn't a simulation. Participants work with authentic observational data to search for undiscovered asteroids, contributing directly to global planetary defense efforts, scientific research, and technological learning.

Campaign Details

• Campaign Period: August 2026 – July 2027
• Application Deadline: Call for applications is open until August 31, 2026
• Who Can Participate: Students, educators, amateur astronomers, astronomy clubs, and institutions in Nepal
• Commitment: A one-year collaboration comprising 9 search campaigns
• Minimum Participation: At least 45 people from the participating school or college, involved consistently through July 2027

What You Get

• Access to telescopes and software used for real asteroid searches
• Training and mentorship from experienced astronomers throughout the campaign
• The opportunity to discover asteroids and contribute to real scientific data
• E-certificates and recognition for participating students and institutions

Why Join?

• Contribute to global asteroid discovery efforts
• Gain hands-on experience in observational astronomy
• Earn recognition for your discoveries
• Become part of Nepal's growing astronomy community

How to Apply

We're inviting interested schools, colleges, astronomy clubs, and institutions to enroll for the 2026–2027 campaign. Applications close on August 31, 2026, so interested institutions are encouraged to reach out soon. Here's how the process works:

1. Request the letter template. Contact our team to receive the official request letter template.
2. Submit your institutional request. Prepare and send us a formal request letter on your institution's official letterhead, confirming your intent to participate.
3. Commit to the campaign. Once enrolled, your institution commits to a full year of collaboration — 9 campaigns in total — with a minimum of 45 participants engaged from your school or college through July 2027.
4. Start discovering. Our team will provide training, telescope/software access, and ongoing mentorship throughout the campaign.

Get in Touch

To enroll your school, college, astronomy club, or institution, contact us:

📞 +977 984-3708248

🌐 www.naso.org.np

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube: @nasonepal

#NASONepal

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Be part of continued efforts since 2016 to discover and track Near-Earth Asteroids using real telescopes and real data. Your discoveries can contribute to science, technology, and planetary defense - join us for 2026–2027.

OAE Node Nepal & NASO Represented at the 2nd Philippine Space Science and Astronomy Research Conference!

Kathmandu, Nepal — The Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and the OAE Node Nepal are proud to share that our Deputy Manager, Manisha Dwa, was invited as a Resource Speaker at the 2nd Philippine Space Science and Astronomy Research Conference (PSSARC 2026), held from August 3 - 5, 2026 at the University of San Carlos - Talamban Campus, Cebu City, Philippines.

Due to a demanding schedule, Ms. Dwa was unable to travel to Cebu City in person. In keeping with our commitment to accessible and inclusive participation in the global astronomy community, she delivered her presentation virtually, joining the conference live from Kathmandu.

Presentation: "Making the Universe Accessible: Astronomy Education for Visually Impaired Students in Nepal"

Representing NASO and OAE Node Nepal, Ms. Dwa presented her work on astronomy education for visually impaired students in Nepal, sharing approaches and tools developed to make astronomy concepts accessible through non-visual learning methods. The talk reflects OAE Node Nepal's ongoing mission to ensure that astronomy education reaches every learner, regardless of ability.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Philippine Society of Space and Astronomy Research, Inc. and the University of San Carlos for the invitation and for facilitating Ms. Dwa's virtual participation in the conference.

Certificate of Commendation

In recognition of her contribution as a Resource Speaker, Ms. Dwa was awarded Certificate of Commendation by the Philippine Society of Space and Astronomy Research, Inc. and the University of San Carlos.

As Ms. Dwa was not present in Cebu City to receive the certificate directly, it was graciously accepted on her behalf by Mr. Matipon Tangmatitham, Manager of OAE Center Thailand. NASO and OAE Node Nepal thank Mr. Tangmatitham and OAE Center Thailand for their support in this exchange.

The certificate will be formally handed over to Ms. Dwa when she and Mr. Tangmatitham meet in person at IOAA-jr 2026.

Looking Ahead

NASO and OAE Node Nepal remain committed to strengthening regional and international collaboration in astronomy education, and to expanding accessible learning opportunities for students across Nepal. We congratulate Ms. Manisha Dwa on this recognition and thank our partners across the OAE network for their continued collaboration.

For more information about OAE Node Nepal's work in accessible astronomy education, please contact the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO).

The 3rd Nepal Young Physicists ' Tournament welcomes registration until March 21, 2026!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬' 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐍𝐘𝐏𝐓) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!

Register NOW: https://forms.gle/VbAUzKHeCyJmjPKj7

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲?

High school students currently enrolled in Grades 9–12 (or equivalent).

Gap year students are not eligible.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞:

23:59 Hrs, Saturday, March 21, 2026

The Nepal Young Physicists' Tournament follows an international-style physics competition format where teams present solutions to open-ended research problems, engage in scientific discussions, and defend their findings before peers and judges.

𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨:

> 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴

> 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴

> 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭-𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴

> 𝘉𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘭’𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐘𝐏𝐓𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔?

The selected five students from this tournament will represent Nepal at the 𝟑𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬' 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡, 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟓-𝟏𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

From Astronomy Olympiad into Y Combinator: A Proud Moment for the Nepali Youth Innovation Community!

Date: March 15, 2026

We are pleased to share exciting news about two outstanding alumni of the National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) program, Sudip Rokaya and Rohan Bhattarai, who have been accepted into the Y Combinator Summer 2026 (P2026) batch for their startup Lamina Labs.

Sudip and Rohan recently co-founded Lamina Labs, a startup developing the fastest architecture for generating deterministic animated videos, specifically designed for the EdTech sector. Their work focuses on enabling high-quality, scalable educational video generation through advanced technological innovation.

Their acceptance into Y Combinator marks a historic milestone, as they are the first Nepalese founding team to be accepted into Y Combinator in its more than 21-year history. Y Combinator is one of the world’s most competitive startup accelerators and provides $500,000 in funding, along with mentorship and access to a global network of leading founders and investors.

Sudip Rokaya and Rohan Bhattarai have long been part of the NASO community through the National Astronomy Olympiad program. Sudip was the Absolute Winner of the 9th National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO 2022), while Rohan was the Absolute Winner of the 10th National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO 2023). Both represented Nepal at the 15th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2022) in Kutaisi, Georgia, and the 16th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2023) in Katowice, Poland, where they each received Honorable Mention Awards.

Sudip, originally from Simikot, Humla, moved to Pokhara from Grade 4 to pursue his education at Gandaki Boarding School, Lamachaur, where he later completed his high school education under the National Examination Board (NEB) program.

Rohan, originally from Butwal, Rupandehi, studied up to Grade 10 at New Horizon English Boarding Secondary School, Butwal, before moving to Kathmandu to pursue his A-Level studies at Trinity International College, Dillibazar.

Currently, Sudip Rokaya is studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), while Rohan Bhattarai is pursuing his studies at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech)—two of the world’s leading institutions for science and technology.

It is also noteworthy that Raj Kumar Dhakal, the NASO Province Coordinator for Gandaki Province, serves as a science teacher at Gandaki Boarding School, where Sudip studied. Similarly, Mukti Nath Paudel, the NASO Province Coordinator for Lumbini Province, is a science teacher at New Horizon English Boarding Secondary School, Butwal, where Rohan completed his secondary education.

Through the National Astronomy Olympiad program, NASO identified these two talented young minds at an early stage and engaged them in scientific learning and community activities during their high school years. Their continued achievements highlight the importance of nurturing curiosity and talent through national science programs.

We are proud to see the STEM pathways these two brilliant students from Nepal have followed and hope their journey will inspire many young students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Their achievements demonstrate how dedication to science and innovation can open global opportunities, enabling Nepali students to contribute not only to the development of Nepal but also to the broader global community while proudly representing Nepal on the international stage.

The Nepal Astronomical Society warmly congratulates Sudip Rokaya and Rohan Bhattarai on this remarkable achievement. Their success is not only a proud moment for NASO and the National Astronomy Olympiad program, but also an inspiration for the broader Nepali youth and startup ecosystem.

We wish them continued success as they take Lamina Labs to the global stage and look for possible collaboration to support education system in Nepal with their EdTech product/s. 

१३औँ राष्ट्रिय खगोल विज्ञान ओलम्पियाड २०२६ को प्रथम चरणको नतिजा सार्वजनिक !

 काठमाडौँ, माघ २५ — नेपाल एस्ट्रोनोमिकल सोसाइटी (नासो) ले १३औँ राष्ट्रिय खगोल विज्ञान ओलम्पियाड २०२६ (NAO 2026) को प्रथम चरण (प्रदेशस्तरीय) परीक्षाको नतिजा सार्वजनिक गरेको छ। यस चरणमा सफल विद्यार्थीहरू राष्ट्रियस्तरको दोस्रो चरणका लागि छनोट भएका छन्। 

To View Result, Click Here

प्रथम चरणको परीक्षा शनिबार, १७ जनवरी २०२६ मा दिउँसो १२ बजेदेखि २ बजेसम्म एकैसाथ देशभरका विभिन्न प्रदेश केन्द्रहरू— मोरङ, धनुषा, काठमाडौँ, कास्की, रुपन्देही, सुर्खेत र कैलाली—मा सञ्चालन गरिएको थियो। मूल्याङ्कनमा ३२ वा सोभन्दा बढी अंक प्राप्त गर्ने विद्यार्थीहरू दोस्रो चरणमा प्रवेश पाएका हुन्। गत वर्षदेखि यो कार्यक्रमले नेपाल सरकार, शिक्षा, विज्ञान तथा प्रविधिबाट राष्ट्रियस्तरको ओलम्पियाडको मान्यता पाएको छ । साथै मन्त्रालयसंग भएको सहमति अनुसार सह आयोजकको रूपमा राष्ट्रियस्तरको कार्यक्रम संचालन गर्न  आंशिक आर्थिक तथा आवश्यक प्राविधिक सहयोग रहनेछ । 

नासोका अनुसार यस वर्षको ओलम्पियाडमा सातै प्रदेशबाट उल्लेखनीय सहभागिता देखिएको छ। सामुदायिक, निजी, आवासीय तथा विशेष विद्यालयहरूबाट आएका विद्यार्थीहरूले प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक प्रदर्शन गरेका छन्।

कोशी प्रदेश (सिनियर) तर्फ शिक्षादीप बोर्डिङ सेकेन्डरी स्कुलका सिद्धान्त पराजुली प्रथम भएका छन् भने जुनियर समूह मा बाल कल्याण विद्या मन्दिरका शहवाज आलम शीर्ष स्थानमा रहे। मधेश प्रदेश मा सिनियर समूहबाट ज्ञानदा एकेडेमीका गौरव गुप्ता पहिलो भएका छन्।

बागमती प्रदेश बाट सबैभन्दा बढी विद्यार्थी राष्ट्रिय चरणका लागि छनोट भएका छन्। सिनियर समूहमा काठमाडौं मोडल स्कुल, ललितपुरका आर्यन खड्का र जुनियर समूहमा काठमाडौं प्रज्ञा कुञ्ज स्कुलका सम्पन्न दाहाल प्रथम भएका छन्।

यसैगरी गण्डकी प्रदेश मा सिनियरतर्फ मदरल्यान्ड सेकेन्डरी स्कुलका शश्वत रेग्मी, लुम्बिनी प्रदेश मा बिहान न्यौपाने, कर्णाली प्रदेश मा नमुना शाह, तथा सुदूरपश्चिम प्रदेश मा प्रशुद पन्तले सिनियर समूहमा पहिलो स्थान हासिल गरेका छन्।

नासोका अनुसार दोस्रो चरण (राष्ट्रिय स्तर) को कार्यक्रम हाइब्रिड मोड मा सञ्चालन हुनेछ। अधिकांश शैक्षिक सत्रहरू अनलाइन माध्यमबाट हुनेछन् भने आवश्यक परेमा विद्यार्थीहरूले प्रदेश समन्वयकर्तामार्फत केही गतिविधि सम्पन्न गर्नुपर्नेछ।

छनोट भएका विद्यार्थीहरूलाई फेब्रुअरी १५, २०२६ भित्र इमेलमार्फत् सहभागिता पुष्टि गर्न अनुरोध गरिएको छ। राष्ट्रिय चरणको अन्तर्गत दोस्रो र तेस्रो चरण संचालन हुनेछन् जसमा दोस्रो चरण घरैबसी दिन सकिनेछ भने तेस्रो चरणका लागि एक हप्ते बन्द शिविरका लागि काठमाडौं आउनुपर्नेछ । 

उत्कृष्ट विद्यार्थीहरू छनोट गरी अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय खगोल तथा खगोलभौतिक ओलम्पियाडका लागि नेपालको टोली तयार गरिनेछ।