Indian National Biology Olympiad

Indian National Biology Olympiad

The Indian National Biology Olympiad (INBO) is a nationwide competition for high school students in India who have a strong interest and aptitude for biology. INBO serves as the first stage in the selection process for forming the Indian team that will represent the country at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), an international competition for biology enthusiasts. Here are some key points about the Indian National Biology Olympiad:

Objective: The primary objective of INBO is to identify and nurture talented students in biology and provide them with an opportunity to excel at the international level. It aims to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of biology.

Eligibility: INBO is typically open to Indian students who are in the 11th or 12th grade. Eligibility criteria may vary from year to year, and students must meet certain age requirements.

Exam Format: The INBO competition typically consists of a theoretical examination. Theoretical exams include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and more in-depth problems that assess participants' knowledge of biology concepts.

National Selection: INBO serves as the first step in the selection process for forming the Indian team for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). Top-performing students in INBO are selected to attend a training camp and undergo further evaluation.

Training Camp: After the INBO exam, selected students are invited to participate in a rigorous training camp where they receive specialized coaching, guidance, and exposure to advanced topics in biology.

International Representation: The students who perform exceptionally well at the training camp are chosen to represent India at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). IBO is an international competition involving students from around the world.

Benefits: Participation in INBO offers several advantages, including recognition for academic excellence in biology, access to specialized training and mentorship, the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded students, and the potential for further academic and career opportunities in the life sciences.

Preparation: Preparing for INBO requires a deep understanding of biology concepts, problem-solving skills, and a passion for the subject. Students often engage in self-study, receive guidance from mentors, and practice with past INBO exam papers.

Promotion of Biology Education: INBO plays a significant role in promoting the study of biology among young students in India and encourages them to pursue higher education and careers in biology-related fields.

Official Body: INBO is typically organized and administered by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), a national center for research and development in science and mathematics education in India.

Participating in INBO and representing India at IBO can be a prestigious achievement for students interested in biology. It provides them with a valuable platform to showcase their knowledge and skills and opens doors to further educational and career opportunities in the field of biology.

Syllabus of INBO

The INBO curriculum is identical to the NSEB curriculum and includes the following topics:

Plant Physiology and Animal Physiology

Anatomy of Plants and Animals

Cell Biology – Structure and function of cells

Microbiology

Biotechnology

Protein Synthesis and Transportation

Cell Division – Mitosis and Meiosis

Reproduction in Organisms

Principles of Inheritance and Variation

Organisms and Populations

Ecosystem

Biodiversity and Its Conservation and Environmental Issues

INBO-2023-24 Exam Date, Pattern and Eligibility

INBO 2023-24: Examination Dates

INBO is the second stage of the International Biology Olympiad program and is organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education. As the INBO exam date 2024-25 is yet to be notified on the official website of HBCSE, the tentative dates for all important events related to INBO are given in the table below.

Registration for NSEB 2024 Begins-Last week of August 2024

Registration for NSEB 2024 Ends-Third week of September 2024

The final deadline for registration fee payment-Third week of September 2024

Release of NSEB Admit Cards-Second week of November 2024

NSEB Exam Date 2024-24-Fourth week of November 2024

Display of candidates qualifying for INBO 2024-Last week of December 2024

INBO 2024-25: Examination Pattern

The new examination structure will combine the first two stages of INBO/IOQA into a single stage called the Indian National Olympiad (IOQA).

IAPT has stated that for each exam there will be a single examination comprising two parts that will be held in a single sitting.

Part-I

This part will be known as NSE (National Standard Examination)

Duration: 75 minutes

Question Type: Objective-type questions to be answered on an OMR sheet

Part-II

This part will be known as INO (Indian National Olympiad)

Duration: 120

Question Type: Students are asked to write a detailed answer on an answer booklet. 

Note: The students will be writing both parts IOQA Part-I (NSE) & Part-II (INO) but the answer booklet of Part-II will be evaluated only if you’ve qualified Part-I. Also, the detailed criteria for qualification will be updated soon.

INBO Eligibility 

Candidates who are willing to appear for the INBO 2024-25 examination must fulfil the following eligibility criteria or else, they will be directly exempted from the exam.

He/She must be an Indian citizen and should hold proof of it.

He/She should be currently pursuing schooling at an Indian school. 

They should be in their Class 12  and should have passed the National Standard Examination In Biology (NSEB). 

Class 11 students will also be considered eligible if he/she has passed the NSEB exam with required cutoffs.