India Wins 9 Medals at 19th International Earth Science Olympiad in Turin

Indian students won a total of nine medals at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO), held in Turin, Italy, from August 20 to 27, 2026. Four students represented India: Soumik Mandal, Aaron Maithy, Riddhi Ranjan and Mohammed Ehtesham Rizvi, who trained at the Department of Geology, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU Baroda).

Soumik Mandal achieved the third-highest individual rank in the 19-year history of the Olympiad, a standout result for the Indian team.

The IESO is an annual competition for school students under the age of 18, testing participants on geology, geophysics, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy and environmental science through theory and practical exams.

India first competed at the inaugural IESO in Daegu, South Korea, in 2007, winning two silver medals and placing fourth. India later hosted the seventh Olympiad in Mysore in 2013. This year's participants were selected after a national-level written examination and intensive training at Anna University, Chennai, and MSU Baroda.