Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO) | Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) 2026

 

Facts: 

• The Mathematical Olympiad Programme in India leads to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), with HBCSE conducting the programme on behalf of NBHM. 
• IOQM is the first stage of the Mathematical Olympiad Programme, followed by the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) and Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO). 

 

Do you simply love Maths? Do you want to pursue a career in Mathematics? If you do, the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) and the subsequent stages of the Mathematical Olympiad Programme provide an opportunity to develop advanced problem-solving skills and compete at the national and international level. 

 

What is the Regional Mathematics Olympiad? 
 

The Mathematical Olympiad Programme in India, which leads to participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), is organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) on behalf of the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM), Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. In the current 2026–2027 cycle, the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) is Stage 1, the Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO) is Stage 2 and the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) is Stage 3. 

 

RMO Exam until 2025-2026

 

RMO 2026-2027

 

• Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO) is a 3-hour written examination with 6 mathematics problems requiring detailed proofs. 
• For the 2026–2027 cycle, students qualifying from IOQM 2026 are eligible for RMO 2026 according to the official selection criteria. The RMO-to-INMO selection criteria are announced separately by HBCSE. 
• Students in the KV and JNV systems are treated as separate regions in the Mathematical Olympiad Programme, subject to the applicable HBCSE rules. 
• The applicable girls' quota and regional selection rules are determined by the official HBCSE criteria for the relevant cycle.

For the 2026-2027 Cycle, the selection pathway follows the three-stage IOQM → RMO → INMO structure announced by HBCSE.

 

Stage 1	Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)	Date: As announced for IOQM 2026 by the official examination authority Duration: 3 hours Paper pattern: 30 questions The answer to each question is a single-digit or two-digit number, as applicable to the official IOQM format.  Answers are marked on a machine-readable OMR response sheet.  OMR-based examination. The official 2026 paper pattern should be followed from the current IOQM examination instructions.
Stage 2	Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO)	Date: January 17, 2027 Duration: 4.5 hours Number of questions: 06 Each question requires writing detailed proof

 

What are the eligibility criteria for the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) 2026?

 

Eligibility criteria for Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM), 2026

 

1. Students studying in Classes 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 and satisfying the age and other eligibility conditions specified in the official IOQM 2026 eligibility notice are eligible to write IOQM 2026. 
2. Students satisfying criterion 1 above and studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) are ELIGIBLE to write IOQM. There will be NO separate IOQM for students of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV). 
3. INMO awardees may be eligible to write INMO directly in a subsequent cycle, subject to the eligibility criteria specified by HBCSE for that cycle. 
4. The students must be eligible to hold an Indian passport. Provisionally, students with OCI cards are eligible to write the IOQM subject to conditions as explained below:

As per the orders of the Madras High Court, students with OCI status will not be eligible for selection to the Indian team in the International Mathematical Olympiad. However, such students are provisionally eligible for selection at ALL prior stages, up to and including the IMOTC provided they fulfil all other criteria. They are also provisionally eligible to write the selection tests at the IMOTC. This policy is subject to revision without prior notice depending on any further orders issued by the courts, or by a competent Government authority. 

1. For IOQM 2026, residency/school-system requirements are governed by the official HBCSE eligibility notice for the 2026 cycle. 
2. The student must satisfy the Class 12 board-examination eligibility condition specified in the official IOQM 2026 notice. 
3. The student must satisfy the university-enrolment restriction specified in the official IOQM 2026 eligibility notice. 
4. It will be the responsibility of the student to ensure that the above eligibility criteria are satisfied. In case it is found at any later stage of the programme that a student does not meet the eligibility criteria, he or she may be disqualified from the programme.

 

Eligibility Criteria for qualification from IOQM 2026 to RMO 2026

 

1. The list of students qualified for the INMO 2023 will be prepared according to the following rule: 
   1. For 2026, qualification from IOQM 2026 to RMO 2026 follows the official HBCSE selection criteria, including the minimum-score and regional-category rules. In this pool 
      1. the number of class XII students will be 100. 
      2. the number of class VIII, IX, X, XI students will be 500. 
   2. From each region (including KV and JNV), a minimum of 
      1. 25 students (class XI or below category) 
      2. 5 students (class XII category) 
      3. 3 girl students from class XI or below category irrespective of the number of girl students qualifying in 1.(b).i. Above will qualify for INMO regardless of the scores provided each qualifying candidate has a score above a minimum cut-off score of 30% of the total marks of the IOQM paper.
   3. No girl student of class XII will be selected under the girls’ quota. A girl student of class XII can qualify for INMO from IOQM if, and only if, she is selected among the top 100 students in the class XII category mentioned in 1(a)i. 

 

1. A maximum of 6 students (provided each qualifying candidate has a score above a minimum cut-off score of 30% of the total marks of the IOQM paper.) will be selected from the category of students residing abroad and studying in an Indian school system different from Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV). Among these 6 students, no more than 1 student will be from the class XII category and no more than 5 students will be from the class XI or below category. There is no separate girls’ quota for this category of students.

 

What is the syllabus for IOQM, RMO and INMO?
 

The Mathematical Olympiad syllabus is pre-degree college mathematics. The official syllabus covers areas such as algebra, geometry, combinatorics and number theory, with problems requiring substantial mathematical reasoning. The areas covered are 

• arithmetic of integers, 
• geometry, 
• quadratic equations and expressions,
• trigonometry, 
• coordinate geometry, 
• the system of linear equations, 
• permutations and combination, 
• factorization of polynomial,
• inequalities, 
• elementary combinatorics, 
• probability theory and number theory, 
• finite series, 
• complex numbers, and 
• elementary graph theory. 

 

The syllabus does not include calculus and statistics. The major areas from which problems are given are algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory. The syllabus is in a sense spread over Class XI to Class XII levels, but the problems under each topic involve a high level of difficulty and sophistication. The difficulty level increases from Stage 1 to Stage 2 to Stage 3. 

 

Prepare for the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) with askIITians
 

For the 2026 cycle, students should check the official IOQM examination portal and HBCSE announcements for registration status, dates and instructions. You can begin preparation using the latest syllabus and previous papers. This olympiad will give you a lot of exposure and learning opportunities beyond the four walls of your classroom. You will be able to explore how students pursue Mathematics and enjoy studying it. At askIITians, our whole team is here to help you out. 

• Prepare for IOQM as per the latest exam pattern. 
• Get previous year's papers for IOQM and INMO. 
• Study from Maths experts from IITs and NITs in live classes. 
• Get separate doubt sessions and mock tests to practice well for the olympiad. 
• Access special books focusing on the olympiad syllabus and exam pattern. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions
 

• What is the relationship between PRMO, IOQM and RMO?

IOQM is the first stage of the current Mathematical Olympiad Programme. RMO is the second stage, followed by INMO. 

 

• How did India perform at the IMO 2026?

India won 2 Gold and 4 Silver medals at the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2026 held in Shanghai, China, from July 10 to July 21, 2026. 

 

• Can Class 12 students appear for IOQM 2026?

Yes. Class 12 students can be eligible for IOQM 2026, subject to the age, board-examination, university-enrolment and other eligibility conditions specified in the official 2026 notice.

 

• Are calculators allowed in IOQM 2026?

Students should follow the official 2026 examination instructions regarding permitted materials and devices.