Mumbai is gearing up to host one of the most prestigious international science events of the year — the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2025). Scheduled from August 11 to 21, with the opening ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre. The event will be hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), and supported by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Department of Atomic Energy.
This marks the return of an international Olympiad to Mumbai after more than a decade — the city last hosted the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in 2015. IOAA 2025 is particularly significant for India, as it is the third time the country is hosting this Olympiad, and the second time in Mumbai. The first IOAA held in India took place in Mumbai in 2008, followed by Bhubaneswar in 2016.
Created to meet growing global interest in astronomy among high-school students and to provide a platform for academic collaboration across borders, the IOAA was founded in 2006, with the first one held in Thailand, in the year 2007. The 2025 edition is set to break records, with nearly 300 student contestants and 140 team leaders representing 64 countries from every inhabited continent — including several nations participating for the first time.
According to information shared by the HBCSE, “IOAA 2025 is not just a competition. It is a celebration of international collaboration, scientific talent, and an opportunity to showcase India’s growing leadership in astronomy.” The Olympiad will feature theoretical, observational, and data analysis components, as well as a team competition to promote cross-cultural scientific teamwork.
Participants will be housed at The Westin Powai Lake, with all academic events conducted on-site. Leaders and mentors will be hosted at the St. Regis Hotel, Worli, which will also serve as the venue for jury and moderation sessions.
