Allen Students Arnav Sehrawat and Harshil Patel Win Gold and Silver at the 19th IOAA 2026 in Hanoi

Allen Career Institute students have once again brought international glory to India by winning a gold and a silver medal at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2026. Held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from September 25 to October 5, 2026, the prestigious competition witnessed participation from teams representing 64 countries. India’s five-member national team put up an exceptional performance, bagging four gold and one silver medal in total. Among them, Allen classroom student Arnav Sehrawat clinched the gold medal, while Harshil Patel secured the silver medal.

Congratulating the winners, Vinod Kumawat, President of Allen Career Institute, Kota, highlighted that this triumph adds to an impressive tally, bringing Allen students’ total medal count in official international Olympiads for 2026 to 15 medals (11 gold and 4 silver) across physics, chemistry, astronomy, earth science, and biology.

Rigorous Four-Stage Selection Process:
The path to the IOAA finals involves a highly competitive and grueling four-stage selection framework:

First Stage (NSEA): National Standard Examination in Astronomy, where 143 Allen students qualified for the next round.

Second Stage (INAO): Indian National Astronomy Olympiad, which saw 23 Allen students selected for the third stage.

Third Stage (OCSC): Orientation cum Selection Camp in Astronomy, culminating in the selection of the five-member Indian national team.

Fourth Stage (IOAA Finals): The final international showdown held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Student Reflections and Future Aspirations:
Expressing his joy upon winning the gold medal, Arnav Sehrawat shared that competing alongside brilliant minds from diverse nations was a profoundly enriching learning experience, crediting the faculty’s expert guidance and rigorous practice for his success. Similarly, Harshil Patel, reflecting on his silver medal win, noted that tackling complex problem sets during his preparation significantly boosted his confidence, while outlining his long-term ambition to become an IITian. Both students emphasized how the world-class study environment and constant mentorship at Allen played a pivotal role in shaping their international success.