Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO)
by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE)
Admission Advantage in Top Institutes
Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) is a competition by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) for students in Class 8–12, open to students across India. Registration closes 25 Jul 2026.
Mode
In-Person
Eligibility
Class 8–12
Fee
₹300
Duration
3 hours
Format
Individual
Time needed
3 hours for the examination; significant dedicated preparation time is required, often spanning several months.
Key Dates
- Registration opens
- 1 Jun 2026
- Registration closes
- 25 Jul 2026
- Competition
- 15 Nov 2026
About This Opportunity
The Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) is a highly esteemed mathematics competition in India, serving as the crucial second stage of the Mathematical Olympiad program. It is meticulously organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) on behalf of the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM), with the core objective of identifying and fostering mathematically gifted school students nationwide.
The RMO is a rigorous three-hour written examination comprising six challenging descriptive problems. These problems are specifically designed to assess students' profound understanding of mathematical concepts, their logical reasoning abilities, and their innovative problem-solving skills.
Excelling in the RMO is a vital step towards qualifying for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) and subsequently, the prestigious opportunity to represent India at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
The examination is conducted across various regions in India, with dedicated regional coordinators overseeing the entire process, including evaluation. It strongly encourages students from Classes 8 to 12 to explore and master advanced mathematical concepts that extend beyond their regular school curriculum, fostering a deeper passion for the subject.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 8–12
- Age Range
- 13 - 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Must have qualified the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) by scoring at least 10% of the total marks. Selection for RMO is region-wise, with specific quotas for different categories.
Prerequisites
- Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM)
Additional requirements
- Must be an Indian citizen or hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. OCI cardholders are eligible for all stages except representing India in the IMO.
- Students from Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) have specific selection quotas.
- Students must adhere to the age criteria: born on or after August 1, 2006, and on or before July 31, 2013 (for IOQM, which is a prerequisite for RMO).
Open to Indian citizens and OCI cardholders in Classes 8-12 (typically ages 13-18) who have qualified the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) by scoring at least 10% of the total marks. Selection is region-wise, with special quotas for girl students and those from Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
The RMO syllabus covers advanced topics from Number Theory, Algebra, Geometry, and Combinatorics, extending significantly beyond the standard school curriculum. Key areas include quadratic equations, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, graph theory, factorization of polynomials, finite series, complex numbers, divisibility theory, and elementary combinatorics. The emphasis is on deep conceptual understanding, creative problem-solving, and rigorous proof writing rather than rote memorization. Topics like calculus and statistics are generally not included.
Rewards & Recognition
Certificate
Certificate of Merit from HBCSE & NBHM
Top performers in the RMO receive a Certificate of Merit, a prestigious recognition of their mathematical talent from the national organizing bodies.
Recognized by
Opens doors to
Qualifying for RMO and subsequent stages like INMO provides a significant advantage in admissions. IIIT Delhi offers bonus marks to INMO qualifiers. For institutes like Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) and Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), qualifying for the INMO training camp may lead to an exemption from the written entrance test, with admission based on a direct interview.
Recognition
National Level Recognition
Skills your child builds
Exam format
- Total marks
- 102
- Duration
- 180 minutes
- Format
- 6 descriptive (subjective) problems requiring detailed proofs and solutions.
- Language
- English, Hindi, Other regional languages (as determined by regional coordinators)
Rounds & format
The RMO is a single-stage written examination. Students who qualify RMO proceed to the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO).
How entries are judged
Answers are evaluated based on accuracy, completeness of solutions, proper justifications, and application of relevant theorems. Partial credit may be awarded for partially correct or incomplete answers.
Selection process
From each region, the top 200 students from Classes 8-11 (Category A) and top 40 students from Class 12 (Category B) who meet the IOQM 10% score criteria are selected for RMO. For INMO qualification, typically up to 30 students from Category A and 6 students from Category B from each region are selected based on RMO performance. An additional 5 girl students from Category A also qualify for INMO under a special quota.
How to apply
- 1Registration for RMO typically opens after IOQM results are declared. Qualified students can register online on the official HBCSE website (olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in) using their IOQM roll number and date of birth.
- 2Admit cards containing exam center details, date, and time will be available for download from the HBCSE website prior to the exam.
How to prepare
- Previous year RMO question papers
- Olympiad-level mathematics books (e.g., Challenge and Thrill of Pre-College Mathematics, Problem Primer for Olympiads)
- Focus on conceptual clarity in Algebra, Number Theory, Geometry, and Combinatorics
- Practice writing clear, step-by-step solutions
- Join problem-solving groups or mentorship programs
Fees & financial support
Fee details
While there is no separate fee for RMO itself, students must have paid the registration fee for the preceding Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) exam. The IOQM fee is typically around ₹300 for general category students, ₹150 for Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) students, and ₹125 for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) students. Regional coordinators may charge a nominal fee to cover local examination expenses.
Financial support
While RMO itself does not offer direct scholarships, qualifying for RMO and INMO can lead to scholarship opportunities or fee concessions at various coaching institutes for competitive exams like IIT-JEE.
Refund policy
Fees paid for the preceding IOQM are generally non-refundable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO)?
The registration deadline is 25 Jul 2026.
Is Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO) free?
₹300 registration
Who can participate in Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO)?
Students in Class 8–12. children aged 13-18.
What will my child gain from Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO)?
Opportunity to qualify for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) and potentially the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).. Develops advanced problem-solving and logical thinking skills.. Provides national-level recognition and a Certificate of Merit from HBCSE and NBHM for top performers.. Significantly enhances academic profile for admissions to prestigious higher education institutions in India and abroad.. Offers a unique platform to compete and interact with the brightest mathematical talents across India.. Qualify for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) and potentially represent India at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).. Gain a significant advantage for admission to top institutes like ISI, CMI, and IIIT Delhi.. Receive a prestigious Certificate of Merit from HBCSE and NBHM, recognizing you as a top mathematical talent in your region.. Develop exceptional problem-solving, logical reasoning, and analytical thinking skills.. Enhance your academic profile for university applications in STEM fields, both in India and internationally..
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