IOQM 2026 Registration - Dates, Eligibility, and How to Apply Online
The Mathematics Teachers' Association (India) (MTAI) has opened registration for the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) 2026, the first stage of India's mathematical olympiad pathway leading toward the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The exam will be held on 6 September 2026, and students from Classes 8 to 12 can register either through their school as a centre or individually on the official portal, ioqm.mtai.org.in.
Click Here: IOQM 2026 Registration
What Is IOQM 2026?
This section explains what the exam is and why it matters for school students interested in mathematics.
IOQM is a national-level mathematics olympiad conducted in India for students of Classes 8 to 12. It functions as the qualifying round for the broader Indian Mathematical Olympiad programme, which progresses through the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) and Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO), eventually leading to selection for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and other international contests such as EGMO and APMO.
IOQM 2026 Important Dates
This section lists the official registration and exam timeline announced by MTAI, so students and schools can plan ahead without missing a deadline.
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Centre registration | 1 June 2026 | 26 June 2026 |
| Student registration through centres | 1 June 2026 | 25 July 2026 |
| Individual student registration (online) | 29 June 2026 | 25 July 2026 |
| IOQM 2026 exam date | 6 September 2026 | - |
All registrations must be completed through the official portal, ioqm.mtai.org.in, within the prescribed window.
IOQM 2026 Eligibility Criteria
This section covers who can apply for IOQM 2026, including academic and citizenship requirements.
Academic eligibility:
- The student must be currently studying in Classes 8 to 12 in a recognised institution in India.
- The student must not have already cleared, or be scheduled to give, their Class 12 board examinations before 30 October 2026.
- The student must not have started regular university or college studies before 1 June 2026.
Citizenship and residency:
- Candidates must hold an Indian passport to represent India internationally at later stages.
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders may appear for the exam and progress through training stages but cannot represent India at international competitions.
- Examination centres are located only within India. Students residing outside India who wish to appear must travel to India and choose an available exam centre; such students are considered under the Delhi (NCR) region for RMO selection purposes.
How to Register for IOQM 2026
This section explains the two registration routes available to students and the steps involved.
Students can register for IOQM 2026 in one of two ways:
- Through a registered centre (school): Schools wishing to act as official examination centres must register on the portal and activate their centre login between 1 and 26 June 2026, after which they can enrol their students until 25 July 2026.
- Individually through the online portal: Students whose schools are not registered as centres, or who prefer to apply on their own, can use individual online registration from 29 June 2026 to 25 July 2026.
Steps to apply online:
- Visit the official portal at ioqm.mtai.org.in.
- Select either the centre registration option or the individual student registration option, as applicable.
- Fill in personal and academic details accurately.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the applicable registration fee and complete submission.
IOQM 2026 Exam Pathway - What Comes After
This section outlines the stages that follow IOQM for qualifying students.
Students who qualify in IOQM 2026 proceed to RMO, the second-stage regional examination. Top performers in RMO advance to INMO, the national-level stage. These stages form part of the broader selection and training process for India's teams at IMO, EGMO, and APMO, subject to eligibility and selection criteria set by the conducting authorities.
