International Science Olympiad

International Science Olympiad (ISO)

The Olympiad Examination Council conducts the International Science Olympiad (ISO) to promote scientific knowledge, curiosity, and innovation among students from Grade 5 to Grade 12. This globally recognized competition encourages young learners to explore and understand the fundamental principles of science beyond their textbooks, enhancing their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The International Science Olympiad covers key areas of science, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science, with question papers designed according to each grade level. The exam tests both theoretical understanding and practical application, encouraging students to think critically and connect scientific concepts to real-world situations.

Through participation in the ISO, students gain a deeper appreciation for science and are motivated to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields in the future. The Olympiad also helps identify young scientific talent and supports their academic growth through awards, scholarship, certificates, and recognition at national and international levels.

The Olympiad Examination Council ensures a fair and intellectually stimulating experience for all participants. By organizing the International Science Olympiad, the council aims to build a global platform where students can showcase their scientific abilities, foster curiosity-driven learning, and contribute to a future shaped by innovation and scientific progress.

Eligibility: Grade V to Grade X

Examination Pattern
The question paper consists of three parts:
  • Part‑1: Science Reasoning
  • Part‑2: Real Life Science
  • Part‑3: Previous Grade Section
Duration: 60 minutes
Marking Scheme
PartQuestionsMarksTotal
Science Reasoning35270
Real Life Science5210
Previous Grade Section10220
Total50100
SYLLABUS

Our Earth and Our Solar System The Universe, Stars and Their Types, Planet, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System, Gravity, Space Launch Technology, Concept of Space Missions

Motions of the Earth Rotation and Revolution, Sunset and sunrise, A year, Moon and Its Phases

Human Body Human Organ System, Respiration, Human Respiratory System, The effects of smoking and Passive Smoking, Human Digestive System, Human Body, Blood Circulatory System in Human, Human Nervous System, Human Skeleton System, Human Excretory System

Substances, Objects and Energy Matter (Substance), States of Matter, Energy, Source of Energy, Electrical Energy, Fossil Fuels

Interdependence of Living Beings
Plants and Animals: Exploring ecosystems, food chains, and how plants and animals depend on each other.

plants Pollination: Learning about the process of pollination and its role in plant reproduction. Plant Reproduction: Exploring different methods of plant reproduction (sexual and asexual), parts of a flower, and seed dispersal mechanisms.

Community Health and Hygiene Health, Hygiene, Community Health, Importance of Community Health, Wholesome Living, Tobacco Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse

Water Water: Our Lifeline, Water Pollution and Its Causes, Disposal of Waste Water, Purification of Water, Drought (Famine), Water Management (Conservation of Water)

Infectious Diseases and How to Prevent Them Disease, Communicable or Infectious Diseases, Modes of Transmission of Diseases, An Epidemic of a Disease, Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Vaccination and Immunization, Public Health Service Facilities

Constituents of Food Nutrients and Nutrition, Component of Food: Carbohydrates, Fats (Lipids), Proteins, Vitamin and Minerals, A Balanced Diet, Nourishment and Malnutrition

Constituents of Food Deforestation and Its Causes, Consequences of Deforestation, Pollution and Its Types, Water Pollution and Its Causes, Environmental Issues, Air Pollution and Its Causes, Soil Pollution and its Causes, Environmental Balance

Natural Resources – Air, Water and Land Natural Resources, Atmosphere and Its Layers, Air Around Us, Composition and Components of Air, Importance of Air, Environmental Issues, Air Pollution and Its Causes, Water: Our Lifeline, Availability of Water, Composition of Water, Importance of Water, Scarcity of Water, Land, Soil Formation, The Importance of Conserving Earth’s Natural Resources

The Living World Characteristics of Organisms, Growth, Respiration, Excretion, Responsiveness to stimuli and movement, Reproduction, A definite lifespan, A cellular structure. Useful living things, Harmful Living Things, Wild Animals

Diversity in Living Things and Their Classification Diversity in Plants, Modes of Nutrition in Plants, The Structure of a Plant, Need for Classification of Plants, Classification of Plants, Diversity in Animals, Classification of Animal

Disaster Management Disaster, Earthquake, Flood, Storm, Forest fire, Disaster Management, Remedial and preventive measures, First Aid and Emergency Action

Substances in the Surroundings –Their States and Properties Matter (Substance), States of Matter, Heat and change of physical state, Concept of Boiling (Vaporization), Concept of Freezing (Solidification), Concept of Sublimation, The Temperature and a Thermometer, Various uses of changes in physical state, Properties of substances, Physical Properties of Metals

Nutrition and Diet Nutrients and Nutrition, Component of Food, Carbohydrates, Fats (Lipids), Proteins, Vitamin and Minerals, Fibre, Water, Diseases Due to Deficiency of Carbohydrates, Diseases Due to Deficiency of Fats, Diseases Due to Deficiency of Proteins, Diseases Due to Deficiency of Vitamin, Diseases Due to Deficiency of Minerals, Diseases Due to Deficiency of Fibre, Diseases Due to Deficiency of Water, A Balanced Diet, Nourishment and Malnutrition, Food Adulteration

Our Skeletal System and the Skin Introduction of Our Skeletal System and the Skin, Bone and Its Types, The Human Skeletal System, The Human Skeleton: Axial Skeleton, The Human Skeleton: Appendicular Skeleton, Joints and Its Classification, The Skin, Structure of the Skin

Motion and Types of Motion Motion and Rest, Types of Motion, Speed

Force and Types of Force Force, Types of force, Contact Force, Non-Contact Force, Muscular force, Mechanical force, Gravitational force, Magnetic force, Frictional force. Electrostatic force, Combined Forces

Work and Energy Introduction of Work, Energy, the relationship between work and energy, Forms of Energy, Power Plants Based on Thermal Energy, Light Energy, Sound energy, Chemical Energy, Mechanical Energy, Transformation of Energy, Energy Resources

Simple Machines Machines, Simple Machines, Complex Machines

Sound Sound, Production of Sound, Sound Produced by Humans, Human Ear, Propagation of Sound, Sound Need a Medium to Travel, Environmental Issues, Noise Pollution

Light and the Formation of Shadows Light, Luminous and Non-luminous Bodies, Sources of Light, the propagation of light, Reflection of Light, Mirrors, Plane Mirror, A Pinhole Camera, Important Terms Related to Light, Formation of Shadow, Dispersion of Light Through Prism and Formation of Spectrum

Fun with Magnets Magnet, Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials, Discovery of Magnets, Magnetic Properties of Materials, Laws of Magnetism, Characteristics of a magnet, Electromagnet

The Universe The Universe, Galaxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, The Solar System, Other Heavenly Bodies of the Solar System

The Living World: Adaptations and Classification Biodiversity, Adaptations and Its Types, Adaptations of Plants, Adaptation in Animals, Classification of Living Organisms, Taxonomic Hierarchy of Living Organisms: Unit of Classification, Nomenclature

Plants: Structure and Function The Structure of a Plant, Root, Stem, Leaf, Flower, Fruit

Properties of Natural Resources Air Around Us, Properties of Air, Properties of Water, Importance of Water, Anomalous Behavior of Water, Properties of Soil, Types of Soil, Structure of Soil, Uses of Soil

Nutrition in Living Organisms Nutrients and Nutrition, Mode of Nutrition in Plant, Role of nutrients and effects of their deficiency on plants, Transport System in Plants, Nitrogen Fixation, Nutrition in Animals, Mode of Nutrition in Animals

Food Safety Spoilage of Food, Food Wastage, Food and Micro-organisms, Food Storage and Preservation, Methods of Food Preservation, Food Adulteration

Measurement of Physical Quantities Physical Quantities, Properties of Matter and Their Measurement, Concept of Mass and Weight, Unit Systems, Standardized measurement, Fundamental Quantities, International System of Units (Si System), Accuracy in Measurements

Motion, Force and Work Motion and Rest, Distance and Displacement, Speed and Velocity, Types of Speed, Types of Velocity, Acceleration and Retardation, Force and Accleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force, displacement and work

Static Electricity Static Electricity, Electric Charge, Transfer of Charges, Frictional Electricity, Electroscope, Atmospheric Electric Charge

Heat Heat and Its Unit, Transfer of Heat, Conduction, Convection, Radiation

Cell Structure and Micro-organisms Cell: Structural and Functional Unit of Life, Plant Cell and Animal Cell, Structure of the Cell, Microorganisms (Microbes) and Microbiology, Useful and Harmful Microorganisms, Pathogens: Disease-producing Micro-organisms

The Muscular System and Digestive System in Human Beings Muscular System, Muscles and Its Types, Human Digestive System, The Mouth and Buccal Cavity, The Teeth and Its Structure, The Salivary Glands, The Food Pipe/Oesophagus, Pharynx/Throat, The Stomach, The Small Intestine, Pancreas, Liver, The Large Intestine, Important Glands of the Digestive System, Effects of Tobacco, Alcohol, Smoking, on the Digestive System

Elements, Compounds and Mixtures Matter (Substance), Elements, Compound, Mixtures, Methods of Separation

Effects of Light Effects of Light, Scattering of Light, Formation of Shadow

Sound: Production of Sound Sound, Sound and Music, Oscillator, Oscillation and Oscillatory Motion, Properties of Sounds

Properties of a Magnetic Field Magnet, Laws of Magnetism, Earth’s Magnetism, Magnetic Field, Properties of magnetic lines of force

In the World of Stars The Universe, Galaxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, Sky Watching

Natural Resources Natural Resources, Mineral Resources, Classification of Minerals, Ores, Fuel

Living World and Classification of Microbes Biodiversity, Introduction of Biological Classification, Classification of Living Organisms, Five Kingdom Classification, Kingdom Monera, Kingdom Protista, Kingdom Fungi, Microorganisms (Microbes) and Microbiology, Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi, Algae, Viruses

Health and Diseases Health, Diseases, Communicable Or Infectious Diseases, Common Diseases in Human Beings, Diseases Transmitted by Animals, Non-communicable or Non-infectious Diseases, Cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Disease, Misuse of Medicine, Lifestyle and Diseases, Vaccination and Immunization

Force and Pressure Force, Types of Force: Contact Force, Non-Contact Force, Balanced and Unbalanced Forces, Inertia and Mass, Types of Inertia, Thrust and Pressure

Current Electricity and Magnetism Atoms: Building Blocks of Matter, Electric Current, Potential and Potential Difference, Electric cell, Electric Circuit, Battery, Effects of Electric Current, Electromagnet

Inside the Atom Atoms: Building Blocks of Matter, History of Atom, Structure of an Atom, Atomic Mass, Electronic Configuration of Atom, Periodic Properties, Isotopes

Composition of Matter Matter (Substance), Characteristics of Particles (Molecules) of Matter, States of Matter, Elements, Types of Element, Compound, Types of Compound, Mixture, Types of Mixture, Introduction to Solutions, Molecular Formula of Compounds

Metals and Nonmetals Types of Element: Metals, Physical and Chemical Properties of Metals, Types of Element: Non-metal, Type of Element: Metalloid, Uses of metals and nonmetals, Alloy

Pollution Pollution and Its Types, Environmental Issues, Air and Water Pollution, Soil Pollution and its Causes, Relationship of Soil Pollution with Air and Water Pollution

Disaster Management Disaster, Earthquake, Fire, Precautions and Safety Measures

Cell and Cell Organelles Cell: Structural and Functional Unit of Life, Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell, Plant Cell and Animal Cell, Structure of the Cell

Human Body and Organ System Human Body, Human Organ System, Human Respiratory System, Blood Circulatory System in Human, Human Heart, Blood, Functions of Blood

Introduction to Acid and Base Acids, Uses of Acids, Bases (Alkalis), Properties of Bases (Alkalis), Uses of Bases, Indicators Chemical Change and Chemical Bond Changes-Physical and Chemical, Chemical Reaction, Chemical Changes in Everyday Life, Chemical Bond

Measurement and Effects of Heat Heat and Its Unit, Sources of Heat, The Temperature and a Thermometer, Heat and Temperature, Thermometer and Its Types, Calorimetry and Calorimeter, Effects of Heat, Expansion of Substances

Sound Sound, Production of Sound, Characteristics of a Sound Wave, Sound and MusicReflection of Light

Reflection of Light Reflection of Light, Terms Used in Reflection of Light, Law of Reflection of Light, Types of Reflection

Ecosystems Ecosystem, Structure and Function of an Ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystem

Life Cycle of Stars Galaxy and Its Types, Stars and Their Types, The Sun, Birth of Stars, Evolution of Stars, Stability of Stars

Laws of Motion Motion and Rest, Distance and Displacement, Speed and Velocity, Effect of Speed and Direction on Velocity, Uniform and Non-uniform Motion, Acceleration and Retardation, Types of Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion

Work and Energy Concept of Work, Positive, Negative and Zero Work, Energy, Transformation of Energy, Power

Current Electricity Electricity, Potential and Potential Difference, Electric Current, Electric Circuit, Conductors and Insulators, System of Resistors

Measurement of Matter Laws of Chemical Combination, Atoms: Building Blocks of Matter, Atomic Mass, Molecules of Elements and Compounds, Molecular Mass, Mole Concept, Ions (Radicals) and Its Types

Acids, Bases and Salts Concept of Acid, Base, and Salt, Dissociation of Ionic Compounds, Basicity and Acidity, Ph of Solution, Reactions of Acids, Reactions of Bases, Salts, Ionic Compounds, Electrolysis

Classification of Plants Classification of Living Organisms, Classification of Kingdom Plantae, Basis for Classification of Plants

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem Concept of Energy Flow in an Ecosystem, Food Chain, Food Web, Energy Pyramid

Useful and Harmful Microbes Microorganisms (Microbes) and Microbiology, Useful Microorganisms, Antibiotics, Harmful Microorganisms

Environmental Management Weather and Climate, Importance of Weather in the Living World, Meteorology, Solid Waste Management, Disaster Management

Reflection of Light Introduction to Light, Mirrors, Type of Mirrors, Image Formation by Concave Mirror, Image Formation by Convex Mirror, Divergence and Convergence of Light, Sign Convention, Mirror Equation/Formula

Study of Sound Sound, Characteristics of a Sound Wave, Speed of Sound (Velocity of Sound), Speed of Sound in Different Media, Properties of Sounds, Reflection of Sound, Human Ear, Sonography, SONAR

Carbon : An Important Element Carbon: A Versatile Element, Properties of Carbon, Allotropy and Allotropes of Carbon, Hydrocarbons

Substances in Common Use Important Salts in Daily Life, Radioactivity, Food Colours and Essences, Dye, Artificial Colours, Deodorant, Teflon, Ceramic

Life Processes in Living Organisms Transportation in Living Organisms, Transportation in Plant, Transportation of Water in Plants, Transportation of Food and Other Substances in Plants, Excretion, Human Excretory System, Control and Co-ordination in Plants, Control and Co-ordination in Human Being, Human Nervous System

Heredity and Variation Heredity or Inheritance, Inherited Traits and Expression of Traits, Types of Chromosomes, Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Its Structure, Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Introduction to Biotechnology Tissues, Animal Tissues, Plant Tissues, Biotechnology, Tissue Culture Observing Space : Telescopes Introduction to Observation of Space, Different Forms of Light, Telescope, Types of Telescope