NSEA — older updates
Every cycle of news + important dates we've captured for National Standard Examination in Astronomy, oldest cycles at the bottom. Live information is on the main exam page; this archive preserves what each previous cycle officially announced.
Older news (16)
Individual student registration for NSEA 2026 opens on August 21 and continues until September 14 through the official IAPT portal. Registration fee is Rs. 300 per student.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
The Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO) for NSEA 2026 qualifiers will be held on January 30, 2027. Top 300 students from NSEA advance to this second-stage olympiad conducted by HBCSE.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
The National Standard Examination in Astronomy will be conducted on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM across exam centres nationwide. This is the first stage toward IOAA 2026 international representation.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
School and centre registration for NSEA 2026 opened on August 1 and closes on August 20, 2026, followed by individual student enrolment from August 21 to September 14, 2026. The exam is scheduled for November 21, 2026.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
The Indian Association of Physics Teachers has announced that NSEA 2026 will be conducted on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. This is the first stage of India's Astronomy Olympiad pathway leading to the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Read full notice →Archived 10 Aug 2026
Application fee set at ₹300 for NSEA 2026
13 Jul 2026Students enrolling for NSEA 2026 will need to pay a registration fee of ₹300. The fee is non-refundable and covers participation in all subsequent stages of the Olympiad selection process, including INAO and OCSC if qualified.
Read full notice →Archived 10 Aug 2026
IAPT has released the registration schedule for NSEA 2026. School and centre in-charges can register from August 1, 2026, while individual student enrolment will begin on August 21, 2026, through the official IAPT portal at iapt.org.in.
Read full notice →Archived 10 Aug 2026
HBCSE has confirmed that the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO), the second stage for NSEA qualifiers, will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Around 300 top scorers from NSEA will be eligible to appear.
Read full notice →Archived 10 Aug 2026
As per the expected schedule, NSEA 2026 is likely to be conducted on November 22, 2026 (Sunday) from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at designated centres across India. Official dates to be confirmed by IAPT.
Read full notice →Archived 20 Jul 2026
IAPT is expected to initiate the NSEA 2026-27 registration process from August 21, 2026 on the official IAPT portal. Candidates should complete registration before the expected deadline of September 14, 2026.
Read full notice →Archived 20 Jul 2026
The 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics will be hosted in Vietnam from September 25 to October 5, 2026. Medal results will be announced at the closing ceremony on October 4.
Read full notice →Archived 20 Jul 2026
HBCSE has announced the Indian team for the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2026. Five students were selected from 51 participants at the Orientation cum Selection Camp.
Read full notice →Archived 20 Jul 2026
IAPT has uploaded sample problems and reference materials for NSEA aspirants. The resources include past examination papers and topic-wise practice modules covering stellar physics, cosmology, and astronomical calculations.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
IAPT has announced the registration window for schools to enroll students for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy. Eligible students in classes XI and XII can participate through their registered institutions during the enrollment period.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
Analysis of the 2025-26 cycle shows that students who scored above the NSEA qualifier threshold showed significantly better performance in the Indian National Physics Olympiad. This underscores the importance of thorough preparation for the astronomy examination.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
The Indian Association of Physics Teachers has confirmed that NSEA 2026-27 will continue to test conceptual understanding in astronomy, astrophysics, and celestial mechanics. Students are advised to focus on problem-solving skills and observational astronomy fundamentals.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
Older dates (31)
OCSC (Orientation cum Selection Camp)
Mon, 26 Apr, 2027April–May 2026; top 35 students selected for intensive training at HBCSE
Archived 10 Aug 2026
🏅INAO 2027 examination (Stage II)
Sun, 31 Jan, 2027Indian National Astronomy Olympiad; typically late January/early February; 3-hour subjective exam
Archived 20 Jul 2026
🏅INAO 2026 exam (Stage 2)
Sun, 31 Jan, 2027Indian National Astronomy Olympiad for top ~300 NSEA qualifiers | 3-hour descriptive exam
Archived 10 Aug 2026
🏅INAO 2027 exam day
Sat, 30 Jan, 2027Friday, January 30, 2027 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Stage 2 olympiad
Archived 23 Aug 2026
INAO 2027 registration opens
Wed, 20 Jan, 2027Mandatory registration on HBCSE portal for NSEA qualifiers
Archived 23 Aug 2026
INAO orientation camp notification
Sat, 16 Jan, 2027Details for next-stage preparation camp communicated to qualifiers
Archived 5 Jul 2026
INAO qualifier list published
Fri, 15 Jan, 2027Top 300 NSEA scorers selected for Indian National Astronomy Olympiad
Archived 23 Aug 2026
NSEA 2026-27 results announcement
Wed, 6 Jan, 2027Results typically released in early January on IAPT website
Archived 20 Jul 2026
NSEA results announcement (expected)
Fri, 1 Jan, 2027Results typically published in early January on IAPT and HBCSE websites
Archived 10 Aug 2026
NSEA result declaration
Sun, 27 Dec, 2026Qualified students announced for Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO)
Archived 5 Jul 2026
Preliminary answer key release
Sun, 22 Nov, 2026Provisional answers published for candidate review
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏅NSEA 2026-27 examination day
Sun, 22 Nov, 2026Expected: November 22, 2026; 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM; MCQ format
Archived 20 Jul 2026
🏅NSEA 2026 exam day
Sat, 21 Nov, 2026Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM | 2 hours duration
Archived 23 Aug 2026
🏅NSEA 2026 exam day
Sat, 21 Nov, 2026Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM | OMR-based, 2-hour exam
Archived 10 Aug 2026
NSEA admit card release (expected)
Thu, 12 Nov, 2026Hall tickets typically released 7-10 days before exam on IAPT portal
Archived 10 Aug 2026
🏅NSEA examination date
Sat, 7 Nov, 2026National Standard Examination in Astronomy conducted across India
Archived 5 Jul 2026
NSEA 2026-27 admit card release
Sat, 7 Nov, 2026Hall tickets available on IAPT portal before exam
Archived 20 Jul 2026
Admit card availability
Fri, 23 Oct, 2026NSEA admit cards accessible via school coordinators
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏅IOAA 2026 international competition
Fri, 25 Sept, 202619th IOAA held in Vietnam; Sep 25 - Oct 5, 2026
Archived 20 Jul 2026
NSEA 2026-27 registration deadline
Mon, 14 Sept, 2026Last date to complete online registration and fee payment
Archived 20 Jul 2026
Student enrolment closes
Mon, 14 Sept, 2026Final deadline for NSEA 2026 registration (Rs. 300 fee)
Archived 23 Aug 2026
Student enrolment deadline (expected)
Mon, 14 Sept, 2026Typical registration closes mid-September; confirm with IAPT notifications
Archived 10 Aug 2026
NSEA 2026-27 student registration opens
Fri, 21 Aug, 2026Registration via IAPT portal at iapt.org.in; fee Rs. 300
Archived 20 Jul 2026
Student enrolment opens
Fri, 21 Aug, 2026Individual student registration begins via IAPT portal
Archived 23 Aug 2026
Student enrolment window opens
Fri, 21 Aug, 2026Individual students can register through their schools or approved centres
Archived 10 Aug 2026
Centre registration closes
Thu, 20 Aug, 2026Last date for schools to register as NSEA examination centres
Archived 23 Aug 2026
NSEA 2026-27 centre registration opens
Sat, 1 Aug, 2026Schools can register as NSE centres on IAPT portal
Archived 20 Jul 2026
Centre registration opens
Sat, 1 Aug, 2026Schools and exam centres register through IAPT portal
Archived 23 Aug 2026
Centre in-charge registration opens
Sat, 1 Aug, 2026Schools and examination centres can begin registration through IAPT portal
Archived 10 Aug 2026
Student enrollment closure
Sat, 25 Jul, 2026Final deadline for individual student enrollments through registered schools
Archived 5 Jul 2026
School registration deadline
Thu, 25 Jun, 2026Last date for schools to register students for NSEA
Archived 5 Jul 2026
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