National-level mathematics Olympiad qualifier
Mathematics Teachers’ Association (India) – MTA(I)
📌About the Event
IOQM 2026–27, or the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics, is the first-stage national mathematics Olympiad exam for students aiming to enter India’s official Mathematical Olympiad pathway. Students who perform well can qualify for the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) and later progress toward INMO, training camps, and international Olympiads.
ℹ️ Event Details
Competition name: IOQM 2026–27 – Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics
Mode of conduct: Offline, pen-and-paper exam with OMR-based evaluation.
Exam level: National-level mathematics Olympiad qualifier
Main purpose: Shortlist students for RMO 2026, the next stage in the Indian Mathematical Olympiad process.
Official portal: Students and centres should use the official IOQM portal listed by MTA(I).
Exam date: 6 September 2026, Sunday.
Question pattern: The official portal describes the exam as offline, pen-and-OMR based, with no negative marking.
📅 Important Dates
- Centre registration: 1 June 2026 to 26 June 2026
- Student registration through centres: 1 June 2026 to 25 July 2026
- Individual online student registration: 29 June 2026 to 25 July 2026
- Exam date: 6 September 2026
- RMO 2026 date: 15 November 2026
- INMO 2027 date: 17 January 2027
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Eligible classes: Students studying in Class 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 can apply.
- Age criteria: Students must be born between 1 August 2007 and 31 July 2014.
- Students who have already passed Class 12 are not eligible, even if they have taken a gap year or are planning to appear again for improvement.
- University rule: Students must not have started or be planning to start university/equivalent studies by 1 June 2026.
- Diploma students: Students admitted to a 3-year diploma after Class 10 are not eligible for IOQM.
- OCI/PIO rule: OCI students may be provisionally eligible for earlier stages, but they are not eligible for selection to the Indian team for IMO, EGMO or APMO under the stated policy.
- Exam format: The exam is conducted offline using pen and OMR sheets.
- Negative marking: There is no negative marking.
🏆 Prize Details and Value
- Main incentive: Top-performing students can qualify for RMO 2026, the next stage of the Indian Mathematical Olympiad pathway.
- Long-term opportunity: Students who keep qualifying through later stages can move toward INMO, training camps and possible selection pathways for international mathematical Olympiads.
- Recognition: MTA(I) has listed certificate criteria for IOQM 2026 as an official notification, so eligible performers may receive certificates based on the announced criteria.