What is IOQM?
The Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) is the first stage of the prestigious Mathematical Olympiad Programme in India, jointly conducted by the Mathematics Teachers' Association (India) and Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE). It leads to the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), the world's most celebrated math competition for school students.
Olympiad Progression Path
IOQM
First Stage
RMO
Regional Round
INMO
National Round
IMO
International
Challenging Problems
Tests advanced mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills beyond regular school curriculum.
National Recognition
Provides national-level benchmarking for mathematical talent across India.
Global Pathway
First step towards representing India at the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Exam Structure at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IOQM – Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics |
| Eligibility | Students of Class 8 to 12 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Exam Mode | Pen-and-paper based |
| Question Type | All questions are subjective (requiring detailed solutions) |
| Language | English |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Answer Format | Integer-type answers (exact answers; no multiple choice) |
Important Note: The exam focuses on testing mathematical reasoning and problem-solving abilities rather than memorization of formulas or procedures.
Eligibility Criteria - IOQM 2025 (As per IOQM 2024)
As HBCSE has not yet released the official IOQM 2025 eligibility criteria, the following details are based on the IOQM 2024 guidelines.
Must be an Indian citizen or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
Must be born Between August 1, 2006 and July 31, 2013.
Must be studying in Class 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12.
The student must be residing and studying in India since 30 October 2022 or earlier OR must be studying in an Indian school system since 30 October 2022 or earlier.
The student must not have commenced (or planning to commence) studies in a university or equivalent institution institution by 1 June, 2026.
INMO awardees are eligible to write INMO directly without qualifying through IOQM and RMO.
Important: Students with OCI status will not be eligible for selection to the Indian team in the IMO, EGMO, APMO. ( As per Madras High Court). However, they are provisionally eligible for selection at all prior stages including IMOTC, EGMOTC & selection tests, provided they fulfill all other criteria.
IOQM Syllabus with Topics & Marks Weightage
There is no officially prescribed syllabus, but the IOQM generally draws from advanced school-level concepts (Class 8–12) and tests students on Olympiad-level problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.
Below is a breakdown of commonly appearing topics along with approximate marks weightage, based on analysis of recent IOQM papers:
| Topic | Estimated Marks Weightage |
|---|---|
| 1. Algebra | 20–25 marks |
| System of equations + Diophantine equation | 15-20 marks |
| Inequalities | 3-5 marks |
| Polynomials | 10–12 marks |
| Functional Equations | 3-5 marks |
| 2. Number Theory | 20–25 marks |
| Modular Arithmetic + Divisibility | 10–15 marks |
| Prime Numbers | 5–7 marks |
| GIF/ S(N)/ Number Bases | 7–10 marks |
| 3. Combinatorics | 25–30 marks |
| Counting Principles/ Combinations | 10–15 marks |
| Recurrence Relations | 5–10 marks |
| Non- Routine Combinatorial | 10–15 marks |
| 4. Geometry | 20–25 marks |
| Euclidean Geometry | 15–20 marks |
| Trigonometry | 5–10 marks |
| Coordinate Geometry | 5–10 marks |
Note: Focus is on problem-solving skills, proof-writing, and deep conceptual understanding beyond the regular school curriculum.
Topic Distribution
Important Dates – IOQM 2025 (Tentative)
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins | July 2025 |
| Registration Ends | August 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | September 2025 |
| IOQM Exam Date | 3rd or 4th Sunday of September 2025 |
| Result Declaration | October 2025 |
| RMO (Next Stage) | October/November 2025 |
Stay updated on the official site: https://www.mtai.org.in
Timeline Visualization
Registration
July-Aug 2025
Admit Card
Sept 2025
Exam
Sept 2025
Results
Oct 2025
RMO
Oct/Nov 2025
By the Numbers – IOQM Past Statistics
Every year, tens of thousands of brilliant students compete in IOQM to begin their Olympiad journey. Here's how this prestigious exam has grown in scale and impact:
| Year | No. of Participants | IOQM Qualifiers | RMO Qualifiers | INMO Qualifiers | States Participated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80,000 | ~6,000 | ~1,000 | ~900 | 30+ |
| 2023 | 88,000 | ~6,500 | ~1,050 | ~950 | 30+ |
| 2024 | 95,000+ | ~7,000 | ~1,100 | ~970+ | 30+ |
Note: Exact numbers may vary slightly based on region-wise selection criteria and official announcements.
Steady rise in participation
National-level benchmarking for math talent
First step towards international recognition