Team representing India wins 9 medals at 19th International Earth Science Olympiad in Italy

Member of Team Indian — Soumik Mandal, Aaron Maiti, Riddhi Ranjan, and Mohammed Ehtesham Rizvi — along with their mentors at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) held in Torino in Italy. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement India won nine medals at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) held in Torino in Italy, where teams from more than 42 countries participated.According to a press release, four students — Soumik Mandal, Aaron Maiti, Riddhi Ranjan, and Mohammed Ehtesham Rizvi — represented India. The students were selected through a nationwide entrance examination, followed by an intensive three-week training camp organised at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU Baroda). They also underwent an additional week-long pre-departure training programme at Anna University, Chennai.In the International Team Field Investigation, Riddhi Ranjan and Soumik Mandal won gold medals, Ehtesham Rizvi won a silver medal, and Aaron Maiti won a bronze medal. In the Earth Science Project, Aaron Maiti won a gold medal, Riddhi Ranjan and Soumik Mandal won silver medals, and Ehtesham Rizvi won a bronze medal. In the individual written and practical examination, Soumik Mandal won a gold medal.A special achievement of the Indian team was the performance of Soumik Mandal, where he achieved the third-highest individual rank in the 19-year history of the Olympiad, said the release.The Indian team was led by Jagvir Singh, observer, Scientist-G, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, New Delhi, Hema Achyuthan, mentor I, national coordinator and foreign secretary, Geological Society of India, Bengaluru, and Devesh Walia, mentor II and vice-president, Geological Society of India, Bengaluru. Published - September 01, 2026 09:52 pm IST