Space Quizzes
National Space Quiz
A nationwide competition testing students' knowledge on astronomy, space missions, astrophysics, and space history across junior, senior, and open categories.
Indian Space Science Olympiad (ISSO)
A nationwide quiz competition in astronomy and space science for school students residing in India, with an online preliminary round and an offline final. The National Space Federation is the Principal Partner of ISSO 2026.
About the Olympiad
The Indian Space Science Olympiad (ISSO) is a nationwide quiz competition in astronomy and space science for school students residing in India. Its questions give particular attention to India’s achievements in space.
ISSO is organised and owned by Edu Mithra Intellectual Services Pvt. Ltd. The National Space Federation is the Principal Partner of ISSO 2026. Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology (RSET) is the Academic Partner and VPS Lakeshore Hospital is the Medical Partner.
How it works
- Preliminary round: held online, so students can take part from home.
- Final level: a three-day offline workshop and examination for finalists.
Students compete in categories by class, each with its own syllabus and level of difficulty.
ISSO 2026 final level
The final level is a three-day offline workshop and examination on 27, 28 and 29 December 2026 at Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology (RSET), Rajagiri Valley, Kakkanad, Kochi 682039, Kerala.
Please note: the venue is RSET at Rajagiri Valley, Kakkanad, not the Rajagiri school at Kalamassery. When using a map, search for “Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology (RSET), Rajagiri Valley, Kakkanad”.
Registration for the finals
Who can register, the fees and how to register are on the ISSO 2026 finals registration page.
Programme
ISSO 2026 — Final Level
Final level workshop & examination • 27–29 December 2026
| Programme | Time | Faculty / topic / details |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting time | 8:00 AM | At registration counters |
| Registration | 8:00–9:30 AM | Registration & participant formalities |
| Inauguration function | 9:30–11:00 AM | Inauguration ceremony |
| Invited talk 1 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM | Topic: Remote Sensing of Earth from Space Dr. K. Rajeev — Distinguished Scientist & Former Director, Space Physics Laboratory and Satish Dhawan Professor, VSSC, ISRO |
| Lunch break | 1:00–2:00 PM | Lunch |
| Invited talk 2 | 2:00–3:30 PM | Topic: Indian Space Research Dr. Umamaheswaran R. — Distinguished Scientist & Former Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), ISRO |
| Tea break | 3:30–4:00 PM | Refreshment break |
| Invited talk 3 | 4:00–5:30 PM | Topic: Astrophotography Mr. Sarath Prabhavu J. — Astrophysics Researcher, Science Communicator & Astrophotographer |
| Invited talk 4 | 5:30–6:30 PM | Topic: Beyond the Sky Prof. N. Shaji — Adjunct Faculty, Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) |
| Invited talk 5 | 6:30–8:00 PM | Topic: Introduction to Sky Watch Dr. Manosh T. M. — Cosmologist & Postdoctoral Fellow, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) |
| End of day 1 | 8:00 PM | Programme concludes for the day |
| Programme | Time | Faculty / topic / details |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting & assembly | 8:30–9:00 AM | At allocated classrooms |
| Syllabus-based session 1 | 9:00–10:00 AM | Academic session |
| Tea break / study time | 10:00–10:30 AM | Break |
| Syllabus-based session 2 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Academic session |
| Break / study time | 11:30 AM–12:00 PM | Break |
| Syllabus-based session 3 | 12:00–1:00 PM | Academic session |
| Lunch break | 1:00–2:00 PM | Lunch |
| Syllabus-based session 4 | 2:00–3:00 PM | Academic session |
| Tea break / study & revision | 3:00–4:00 PM | Study, revision & examination preparation |
| Examination seating & instructions | 4:00–4:30 PM | Seating arrangement & examination instructions |
| Examination | 4:30–6:30 PM | ISSO 2026 Final Level Examination |
| Programme | Time | Faculty / topic / details |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting time | 8:30 AM | At Main AC Auditorium |
| Invited talk 6 | 9:00–11:00 AM | Topic: Interplanetary Mission Dr. Nigar Shaji — Programme Director, ISRO & Project Director, Aditya-L1 Mission |
| Tea break | 11:00–11:30 AM | Refreshment break |
| Invited talk 7 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM | Topic: Career in Space Science — IIST Prof. Anand Narayanan — Professor & Head, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) |
| Lunch break | 1:00–2:00 PM | Lunch |
| Closing ceremony, valedictory function & prize distribution | 2:00–6:00 PM | Valedictory ceremony & prize distribution |
| The end | 6:00 PM | Conclusion of ISSO 2026 Final Level Programme |
Note: Programme timings may be subject to minor changes as required by the organisers.
Invited speakers
- Dr. K. Rajeev, Distinguished Scientist, Former Director, Space Physics Laboratory, and Satish Dhawan Professor, VSSC, ISRO: Remote Sensing of Earth from Space
- Dr. Umamaheswaran R., Distinguished Scientist and Former Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), ISRO: Indian Space Research
- Mr. Sarath Prabhavu J., Astrophysics Researcher, Science Communicator and Astrophotographer: Astrophotography
- Prof. N. Shaji, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT): Beyond the Sky
- Dr. Manosh T. M., Cosmologist and Postdoctoral Fellow, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA): Introduction to Sky Watch
- Dr. Nigar Shaji, Programme Director, ISRO, and Project Director, Aditya-L1 Mission: Interplanetary Mission
- Prof. Anand Narayanan, Professor and Head, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST): Career in Space Science
The examination
- OMR-based, with 50 multiple-choice questions, lasting one hour.
- One mark for each correct answer, minus 0.25 for each wrong answer, and no marks for unanswered questions.
- Use a black or blue ballpoint pen.
Before you travel
- Bring one original identity document with a photograph: school ID card, Aadhaar card, or a bona fide certificate from the school.
- Accommodation is not provided. Parents and guardians arrange their own stay and drop off and collect candidates each day.
- Formal dress is required.
- One parent or guardian per participant may attend the inauguration and the closing ceremony in the Main AC Auditorium.
- A doctor, a nurse and an ICU-equipped ambulance from VPS Lakeshore Hospital will be on site on all three days.
For the full candidate instructions, including travel directions and the rules of the event, please contact the National Space Federation. Programme timings may change slightly at the organisers’ discretion.
Official website
Eligibility, categories, the syllabus, important dates and prizes are published on the official website, spaceolympiad.com.
Questions about this? Contact the Federation. Contact details