India’s scientific spirit received a resounding endorsement this week as Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh felicitated the student winners of the 18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO-2025), held in Jining, China. The Indian contingent, comprising four brilliant young minds, returned home with an impressive haul of seven medals and a special recognition in the International Geoscience Youth Movement (I-GYM) Reporter category. The felicitation ceremony, held in New Delhi, celebrated not just their academic excellence but also the growing momentum of Earth Sciences among India’s youth.
India’s Triumph at IESO 2025
The IESO, a prestigious global competition for secondary school students, witnessed India’s team outperform expectations with a medal tally that included:
1. One Gold
2. Four Silver
3. Two Bronze
4. Third Prize in I-GYM Reporter category
This year’s competition, held from August 8 to 16, brought together students from over 30 countries. India’s performance stood out not only for its medal count but also for the diversity of its winners, many of whom hail from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Meet the Medalists
The Indian team was composed of four students selected through the rigorous Indian National Earth Science Olympiad (INESO), conducted across 300 centers nationwide. Their achievements are as follows:
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Rayansh Gupta (Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana, Punjab): Gold, Silver, and I-GYM 3rd Prize
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Charuvrat Bains (M.G.N. Public School, Kapurthala, Punjab): Two Silver, One Bronze
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Apam Nidhi Pandey (PM Shri K.V. No.1, Jaipur, Rajasthan): One Silver
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Priyanshi Ghanghas (MD Indraprastha Sr. Sec. Public School, Delhi): One Bronze
The students were mentored by Prof. Devesh Walia and Prof. Hema Achyuthan, with Dr. Jagvir Singh, Scientist-G, serving as observer.
Minister’s Address: A Vision for Scientific Empowerment
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister for Earth Sciences, lauded the students for bringing glory to the nation and emphasized the transformative impact of India’s startup revolution and education reforms. He noted that the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) has played a pivotal role in unlocking the creative potential of young minds by dismantling rigid subject boundaries and encouraging interdisciplinary exploration.
Key takeaways from the Minister’s remarks:
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The rise of aspirational youth from smaller cities reflects a broader democratization of opportunity
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NEP-2020 is catalyzing interest in emerging fields like Earth Sciences, Biotechnology, and Space Technology
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Students are urged to leverage government initiatives such as Vigyan Jyoti, scholarships, fellowships, and research grants to scale their ideas and contribute to societal progress
Institutional Support and Future Outlook
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, highlighted the Ministry’s continued support for IESO participation. He noted that the INESO selection process ensures a meritocratic representation, and India’s consistent performance in recent years is a testament to the growing interest and capability in geosciences.
The Ministry’s initiatives include:
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Annual INESO screening across hundreds of centers
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Mentorship and training for shortlisted candidates
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Promotion of Earth Sciences through school-level outreach and competitions
Conclusion: A New Era for Earth Sciences in India
The felicitation ceremony was more than a celebration—it was a signal of India’s evolving scientific landscape. With young minds now venturing into disciplines once considered niche, and with institutional backing growing stronger, India is poised to become a global leader in Earth Sciences. The success at IESO-2025 is not just a medal count—it’s a reflection of a nation investing in its future, one student at a time.
Source: Press Information Bureau release.
