Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has officially felicitated the members of Team India following their record-breaking performance at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026. The recognition comes after the young Earth science champions secured a historic nine-medal haul during the competition held in Turin, Italy.
The four-member Indian contingent achieved its best-ever result at the Olympiad, competing against participants from 39 different countries. The team's impressive collection includes four gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. The standout performers recognized for their contributions to this achievement include Soumik Mandal, Aaron Maiti, Riddhi Ranjan, and Mohammed Ehtesham Rizvi.
The competition, held in Turin, provided a global platform for students to demonstrate their expertise in Earth sciences. India's performance marks a significant milestone in the country's participation in international science competitions, as the nine medals represent a high level of academic excellence and scientific proficiency among the young representatives.
Other international participants also received recognition during the event. In Kuwait, the education minister honored students Talal Al-Mutairi, Ghalia Al-Enezi, Narjes Sebti, and Kawthar Al-Qattan for their medal-winning performances. Additionally, an Indonesian student named Ihsan secured a triple medal win, earning one silver and two bronze medals, highlighting the diverse range of scientific talent showcased at the 19th IESO.
The successful conclusion of the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad underscores the growing global interest and competitive standard in Earth science education among secondary school students.