The National Astronomy Olympiad Programme is designed to encourage students with good foundations in Physics and Mathematics and an interest in Astronomy to pursue further studies in this field.
This programme is carried out only at Senior Level and follows 5 stages :-
Stage-I : National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA)
NSEA is the first stage of selection of students in the Astronomy Olympiad Programme which is organized by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). Every student aspiring to go through successive stages of the programme must enroll for NSEA. NSEA held at a large number of centres in the country in the month of November every year.
Eligibility : All Indian students who are born on or after January 1, 1993 and, in addition, are in Class XII or lower as of November 30, 2011, are eligible to appear for NSEA 2011 – 2012. If they qualify in the NSEA they will be eligible for subsequent stages leading to participation in International Olympiad in Astronomy and Astrophysics 2012.
Syllabus : The syllabus for NSEA (Sr. level) is broadly equivalent to the senior secondary level ( Upto Class XII) of CBSE.
There will be greater emphasis on physics and mathematics and elementary astronomy.
Paper Pattern : NSEA paper comprises 80 multiple question plus negative marking for incorrect answers.
Language : English
Stage II : Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO)
Based on performance in NSEA, the top 300 students in order of merit, qualify to appear for the of INAO , which held in January every year.
Syllabus : The syllabus for INAO is broadly similar to that for NSEA with high difficulty level.
Stage III : Orientation Cum Selection Camp (OCSC) in Astronomy
The number of students to be selected for OCSC Astronomy will be 35. In the event, there is a tie at the last position, all students with the same marks at the last position will qualify for OCSC at the respective level. There will be no other criteria or provision for selection to OCSC astronomy.
The merit list of OCSC in astronomy is prepared on the basis of the aggregated test scores over all the tests in the camp, with 50% weightage for theoretical tests, 30% weightage for data analysis test and 20% weightage for observational tests. Performance in previous stages (NSEA and INAO) will not be a consideration for the merit list and awards of the OCSC astronomy.
Stage IV : Pre Departure Training (PDT) Camps for IOA and IOAA
The top 5 in the OCSC astronomy merit list will be special merit awardees and will be members of the Indian team for IOAA.
The selected Indian teams for IOAA will undergo a rigorous training programme at HBCSE in theory, data analysis and observational astronomy. Resource persons from HBCSE and different institutions across the country train the students. The duration of training will be subject to IOAA regulations
Stage V :Participation in IOA and IOAA
The 2 leaders and 1 observer (if any) for IOAA will accompany the Indian team
Contacts
For Further Stages :
Prof H.C. Pradhan (Centre Director )
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (TIFR)
V.N. Purav Marg, Mumbai – 400088
Ph. no. : 022-25555242, 25580036
Fax. : 022-25585660, 25566803
E-mail. : hcp@hbcse.fifr.res.in
Website : www.hbcse.tifr.res.in
Contacts :
For Stage-1, NSEA & NSEJS
Prof. M. L. Oglapurkar IAPT Office, I.I.E. Campus,
128/2, J. P . Naik Marg, Kothrud, Pune 41 1038, INDIA
Ph : 020-25455504 |
Email : iapt@vsnl.net
website : www.iapt.org.in