New Delhi: The Indian student team achieved remarkable success at the 17th International Earth Sciences Olympiad (IESO), held in Beijing, China, from August 8 to 16, 2024. The four-member Indian team, consisting of students from Gujarat, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, brought home a total of eight prestigious medals, including three gold, three bronze, and two silver across three competition categories: Theory and Practical, Earth System Project, and International Team Field Investigation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Ministry of Science and Technology, along with other distinguished portfolios, congratulated the Indian team on their outstanding achievement. “This victory brings immense pride to our nation, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of our young earth science enthusiasts,” he remarked.
The Olympiad, an annual competition established in 2003, is aimed at secondary school students globally and focuses on promoting awareness of earth sciences through collaboration, teamwork, and competition. Dr. M Ravichandran, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), praised the students, stating, “The International Earth Science Olympiad is one of the most successful student-centric programs under the REACHOUT scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. We are proud of our young earth science wizards and achievers.”
The Indian team’s journey to success began with the Indian National Earth Science Olympiad (INESO), a national-level competition that serves as a prelude to the IESO. Facilitated annually by the Geological Society of India in collaboration with the MoES, the INESO tests students in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and environmental sciences. Top performers from this competition go on to represent India at the IESO.
The 17th edition of the IESO witnessed participation from 35 countries, with 32 teams making it to the finals. The competition categories included Theory and Practical, Earth Science Project, International Team Field Investigation, and Data Mining. The event provided a platform for students to engage in solution-centric discussions on climate change, environmental challenges, and natural disasters.
India has been a consistent participant in the IESO since 2007 and even hosted its 10th edition in Mysore. This year’s outstanding performance by the Indian team underscores the nation’s growing prowess in earth sciences on the global stage.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences supports both the INESO and IESO under the REACHOUT scheme, which is part of the PRITHVI (PRITHvi Vigyan) initiative approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2024. This initiative aims to advance the understanding of Earth system sciences through research and development activities, ensuring reliable services to the nation.