India

Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education

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Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) is the main organizer for rounds 2, 3 and 4. For round 1, the administrative responsibility is shouldered by the teacher organization called Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) and the academic responsibility by the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS).

There are 4 rounds of selection as follows:

Round 1: National Standard Examination in Biology (NSEB) held in November.

Round 2: Indian National Biology Olympiad (INBO) held in January/February.

Round 3: Orientation and Selection Camp (OCSC) held in June.

Round 4: Pre-departure Camp (PDC) held in June/July.

Round 1: NSEB - About 30,000 students appear for this exam held in about 1150 centres across the nation.

Round 2: INBO - About 300 students selected from round 1 appear for this exam in about 20 centres across the nation.

Round 3: OCSC - About 35 students selected from round 3 appear for this exam at HBCSE, Mumbai, India.

Round 1: Only Theory (MCQ type) - Teacher organisation Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS) prepares this test

Round 2: Only Theory (Type A - MCQs and Type B - True/False, numerical, etc) - prepared and standardized by an examination board comprising of members of HBCSE as well as a few experts.

Round 3: Theory and Practical - prepared and standardized by an examination board comprising of members of HBCSE as well as a few experts.

The four team members are trained for a period of two weeks before they depart for the IBO.  The venue for the camp is HBCSE in Mumbai, India.

For the first round, the recommended books are the textbooks of the Central Board in India upto class XII. For the second and the subsequent rounds, students are given the list of books recommended for the IBO like Biology by Campbell and a few general as well as specific books depending on the areas specified for a particular year.

Certificates are awarded to students selected for the INBO. All students who attend the OCSC are given certificates of participation as well as some books as well as a medal by the ATBS. The four students selected to form the team are given special merit certificates and prizes in the form of books as well as cash. Best performance in theoretical exam and best performance in experimental exam are two special awards given at the end of the OCSC. These students also receive certificates, books as well as cash awards.

High school students who have not entered University can participate in INBO.

Starts in June and ends in April

minimum 2 hours per week, maximum 5 hours per week. 

about 25 hours per week

Posters and brochures are sent to be displayed in most schools all over the country. Advertisements are printed in newspapers and teacher organizations in various subjects help propagate the programme. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) and teacher organizations like the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) and the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS) send this information to the various centres.

Local and national newspapers