A number of resources have been listed on this page for the benefit of students:
Many institutes and organisations provide extracurricular resources. These must be explored by gifted children as per individual interests. Some of these are listed below.
A number of prestigious summer camps are organized every year in India and abroad for children of various age groups. Details about some of the camps organized abroad are listed in the "Table of Exams "
1. Science For Everyone By SS Krotov—Aptitude Test Problems In Physics.
2. 2000 Puzzling Physics Problems With Hints And Solutions By Peter Gnadig, Gyula Honyek And Ken Riley. Cambridge University Press
3. Exercises In Introductory Physics By R.B. Leighton And R.E.Vogt California Institute Of Technology. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading Massachusetts.
4. University Physics By Freedman And Young, 11th Edition Onwards.
5. Foundations Of Electromagnetic Theory By John R.Reitz, Fedrick J.Milford And Robert W. Christy. Narosa Publishing House.
6. "Problems In Physics" By I.E. Irodov.
7. Schaum's 3000 Solved Problems In Physics By Alvin H. Halpern.
8. Mechanics by Kleppner
9. Electrodynamics by Griffins
10. Modern Physics by Beiser
11. Optics by Eugene Hecht
12. Introduction to Special Relativity by Resnick
Maths
1. Coordinate Geometry By S.L. Loney.
1. Chemistry By Mcmurry And Fay.
2. University Chemistry By Bruce Mahann.
3. Organics Chemistry And Solutions Manual By Solomons And Frhyle
4. Inorganic Chemistry By J.D. Lee.
5. "Problem Book In Chemistry" By P. Bahadur
6. Reactions, Rearrangements & Reagents By S.N.Sanyal.
7. A Guidebook To Mechanism In Organic Chemistry By Peter Skyes.
8. Organic Chemistry By Finar.
9. Qualitative Inorganic Analysis by Vogel
10. Inorganic Chemistry by Wilkinson
11. Inorganic Chemistry by Greenwood
12. Organic Chemistry by Graham Solomon, &Paula Brill
Biology
1. Biological Sciences D. J. Taylor, N.P.O. Green and G. W. Stout
2. Principles of Biochemistry A. L. Lehninger, D. L. Nelson and M. M. Cox
3. The Nature of Life John Postlethwait and Janet Hopson
4. Molecular Biology of the Cell Bruce Alberts, Dennis Bray, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts and James D. Watson.
5. Practical Skills in Biology Allan Jones, Rob Reed and J. Wyers Addison Wesley
6. A-Level Biology (Revised Edition) W. D. Philips and T. J. Chilton
7. Molecular Cell Biology Lodish, Baltimore, Berk et al.
8. Biology Campbell, Neil A; Reece, Jane B; Mitchell, Lawrence G. Benjamin Cummings
9. The Nature Of Life J H Postlethwait and J L Hopson
Every year, the Government of India conducts competitive examinations of a very high standard under the name of Olympiads. These are the most challenging and prestigious examinations available for highschool students. However, some commercial organisations also conduct "Olympiads" which may not measure up to the level of the "Government Olympiads". So, talented students should mainly focus on Government Olympiads for achieving academic excellence.
The Government Olympiads are aimed at India's official entry in the International Olympiads and are conducted in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy/Astrophysics, Earth Sciences and Informatics for students of std. XII or lower classes. A Junior Science Olympiad is also conducted for students of std. X or lower classes. These Olympiads consist of two nationwide elimination exams. 30–40 shortlisted students then attend a national selection camp and a team of 4–6 students is chosen to represent India at the International Olympiad in a particular subject. The Government of India bears all expenses of students attending the national camp as well as the international event.
The following websites contain detailed information about all the Government Olympiads.
To select, groom and nurture the best scientific talent in the country for research and development, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India conducts a fellowship program "Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana" (KVPY) for Indian nationals studying in India. It enables science students to groom their potential for scientific research. KVPY fellowships are granted in Basic Sciences, Engineering and Medicine under different streams like SA/SB (theory) and SP (Projects). The KVPY fellowship ID card assures access to facilities of the National laboratories and libraries of renowned Universities. Moreover, this prestigious fellowship is also recognized at the international level. Generous scholarships and contingency grants are provided right up to Ph.D. level. More detailed information about KVPY is available on: http://kvpy.iisc.ernet.in/main/index.htm
The prestigious National Talent Search (NTS) examination is conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for Indian students of class VIII studying in any type of recognised school in India or abroad. The first stage selection is called State Talent Search (STS). The STS examination is conducted on second Sunday of November and the result is declared in January/February. STS is used only to recommend candidates for the second stage selection at the national level called the NTS Examination. NTS is conducted by NCERT on the Second Sunday of May each year. On the basis of the merit in NTS, a stipulated number of candidates are called for interview during the months of July and August. The final award is declared on the basis of combined scores of written exam and the interview. A scholarship of Rs.500/- is paid per month to all successful students till post-graduation. More details are available on the NCERT website: http://www.ncert.nic.in/programmes/talent_exam/index_talent.html for more details.
JBNSTS, Kolkata helps students to realize the importance of excellence in the scientific world and tries to cultivate this in their own lives as students of science. It also identifies talented students of science, engineering and medicine who shall develop into scientists and technologists of very high abilities. JBNSTS conducts various activities and enrichment programs to develop the talents of such talented students. More details are available on the JBNSTS website: http://www.jbnsts.org for more details.
Bal Shree Scheme, run by the National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi, is an off-beat contest to recognize and tap children’s talents in creative performance, creative art, creative writing and creative innovation in science. The age groups for participation are 9 to 11 years, 11 to 14 years and 14 to 16 years. Selection is done at three levels, local/state Level, zonal Level and national level. Children are judged on their originality, innovative approach, fluency, flexibility, divergent thinking, elaboration of ideas, a creative process leading to a meaningful product, effective functioning in group and analytical & critical approach. The National Bal Shree Honour is conferred on the most creative children in each of the four categories by the Honourable President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Check http://www.nationalbalbhavan.nic.in for more details.
This scheme is run by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to provide facilities to outstanding young children to develop their talents in various artistic fields. Children in the age group of 10 to 14 years studying either in recognized schools or belonging to families practicing traditional art forms are eligible. Outstanding children in music, dance, drama, painting, sculpture and crafts are selected for the award of 500 scholarships each year. Preference is given especially to children practicing art forms which are becoming extinct. A scholarship of Rs.300/- is awarded till the completion of the first University degree education or up to the age of 20 years whichever is earlier, only if the awardees maintain good progress. Check http://ccrtindia.gov.in/scholarship.php for more details.
The word "Mensa" means mind. Mensa is a round-table society for bright people, whose race, colour, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background are irrelevant. It welcomes people whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population to enjoy each other's company and participate in a wide range of social and cultural activities. It works to identify and nurture human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, to encourage research in the characteristics and uses of intelligence, and to provide stimulating intellectual and social opportunities for its members. Admission to Mensa India is on the basis of an admission test and it has no eligibility requirements other than the IQ test scores. Check http://www.mensaindia.org/ for more details.
Different Maths Teachers' Associations conduct Maths Talent Examinations for students of std V & std VII. The syllabus is the same as that of Maharashtra State Board, but the difficulty level is higher than the school examinations. Top-ranked students from each standard are awarded with scholarships and certificates of merit by Mathematics Teachers' Associations. Check http://punemathsassociation.com/ OR http://www.mumbaiganitmandal.com/ for details.
Dr. Homi Bhabha Balvaidnyanik competition for students of std. VI and std. IX is conducted by the Mumbai Science Teachers’ Association to search science talent in students, to generate their interest in science subjects and to inculcate scientific attitude among them. This competition is based on scientific knowledge acquired by the students and is conducted in three elimination phases, viz. written test, practical test and interview. Based on the marks of the 3 phases, the top 10% students are awarded Gold Medals, certificates and scholarship of Rs.700/-. Rest of the candidates reaching upto the final interview stage will get silver medals, certificates and prize of Rs.100/-. For more details, check http://msta.in/homi-bhabha-exams/
The Association of Mathematics Teachers of India(AMTI) promotes and conducts Maths Talent Tests across India. Their aim is to discover and encourage students, who have the capacity for original and creative thinking, who display readiness to attack unfamiliar and non-routine problems and who exhibit a general mathematical maturity appropriate to their level. For more details, check http://www.amtionline.com/
| Examinations/Olympiads | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | Website/Contact Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homi Bhabha Young Scientist Contest | - | - | - | Y | - | - | Y | - | - | - | http://msta.in/homi-bhabha-exams/ |
| International Brain Bee | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.internationalbrainbee.com/ |
| Ganit Pravinya & Pradnya | - | - | Y | - | - | Y | - | - | - | - | District Ganit Adhyapak Mandal |
| Ganit Prabhutva Exam | - | - | Y | - | - | Y | - | - | - | - | http://www.punemathsassociation.com/ |
| Ganit Parangat Exam | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | District Ganit Adhyapak Mandal |
| Ganit Nishnat Exam | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | http://www.punemathsassociation.com/ |
| National Mathematics Talent Contests | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.amtionline.com/ |
| Maharashtra Government Scholarships | - | Y | - | - | Y | - | - | - | - | - | http://www.msce.mah.nic.in/ |
| National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | http://www.ncert.nic.in/programmes/talent_exam/index_talent.html/ |
| National Merit -cum-Means Scholarship | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | - | - | http://mhrd.gov.in/nmms |
| Junior Science Olympiad | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | - | - | http://www.iapt.org.in/ http://www.olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/ |
| Astronomy Olympiad | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | - | http://www.iapt.org.in/ http://www.olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/ |
| P,C,M,B & Astrophysics Olympiad | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.iapt.org.in/ http://www.olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/ |
| Mathematics Olympiad | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.nbhm.dae.gov.in/olympiad.html http://www.olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in/ |
| Informatics Olympiad | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.iarcs.org.in/inoi/ |
| Earth Sciences Olympiad | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | http://www.geosocindia.org/index.php/ieso |
| KVPY | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | http://www.iisc.ernet.in/kvpy/ |
| RIMC Entrance Exam | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | - | - | - | http://rimc.gov.in/rimcindex.aspx |
| JNV Entrance Exam | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | - | - | http://www.navodaya.nic.in |
| Paul Erdős International Math Challenge | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | - | - | - | http://inside.gcschool.org/abacus/ |
| Bal Shree Contest | Y | Y | Y | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | http://www.nationalbalbhavan.nic.in |
| IRIS National Science Fair | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.irisnationalfair.org/ |
| 'Technothlon' | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.technothlon.techniche.org |
| Children's Science Congress | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://ncsc.co.in/ |
| 'IGNITE' | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.nif.org.in/ |
| Google Global Science Fair | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.google.com/intl/en/events/sciencefair/ |
| INSPIRE Project Contest | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | - | - | http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in/award.html/ |
| Summer Science Program (SSP), USA | - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | Y | Y | Y | http://www.summerscience.org/home/index.php/ |
| Canada/USA Mathcamp | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.mathcamp.org/ |
| International Summer School for Young Physicists(ISSYP), Canada | - | - | - | - | - | - | Y | Y | Y | Y | http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/outreach/students/programs/international-summer-school-young-physicists/ |