IOQM, RMO, INMO 2026-27: Dates, Cutoffs, Eligibility, Next Steps

The Mathematical Olympiad programme is how India chooses its team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). It is run for the National Board for Higher Mathematics by HBCSE (TIFR) in Mumbai. The first stage, IOQM, is run by the Mathematics Teachers' Association (India). For 2026-27 there are three exam stages: IOQM, then the Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO), then the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO). These are followed by training camps and the IMO itself. As of 26 October 2026, IOQM 2026 was held on 6 September 2026, scores are out and the IOQM-to-RMO cutoffs have been published. RMO 2026 is on 15 November 2026, and students who qualified must register for it. Registration is expected between late October and 2 November 2026. INMO 2027 is on 17 January 2027. Registration for IOQM 2026 is closed. IOQM 2027 is expected around September 2027, with registration around June–July 2027, but it has not been announced.

Key dates

The two official sites give slightly different RMO registration dates. Check the student dashboard on ioqm.mtai.org.in and the HBCSE page every day until you have registered. The IOQM 2027 dates are estimates based on the 2026 cycle.

Who can apply

From the official IOQM 2026 eligibility criteria:

• Born between 1 August 2007 and 31 July 2014, and studying in Class 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. Students from any recognised board, open schooling or home schooling can take part.
• Must be eligible to hold an Indian passport. OCI card holders can write IOQM and later stages up to the training camps, but cannot be selected for the Indian team at IMO, EGMO or APMO.
• Must have lived and studied in India, or studied in an Indian school system, since 30 October 2024 or earlier.
• Must not have passed, or be due to take, the Class 12 board exam before 30 October 2026. Giving up Class 12 results to become eligible is not allowed.
• Must not have started, or plan to start, university studies by 1 June 2027.
• INMO 2026 awardees can go straight to INMO 2027 if they still meet the age and other rules.

Benefit

• The only way to be selected for India's team at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO).
• INMO qualifiers can be invited to the training camps (INMOTC, then IMOTC and EGMOTC). The Government of India pays travel for the camps and for international events.
• Students pay only the IOQM fee. RMO registration is free.
• Merit certificates go to students who meet the national and regional merit criteria. The certificate cutoffs will be announced later.

Documents and fees

• IOQM 2026 fee: ₹300 per student, or ₹180 for Kendriya Vidyalaya and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya students.
• Proof that you study in your school (such as a school ID card) for enrolment. The IOQM FAQs list which documents are accepted.
• Printed hall ticket and a valid photo ID on exam day. School uniform is not needed.
• For RMO and INMO: log in to the student dashboard with your IOQM enrolment number and date of birth.

How to apply

1. IOQM: enrol through a registered centre (often your school or a coaching centre) or online as an individual on ioqm.mtai.org.in, and pay the fee. For 2026 this closed in late July (25 July as per the FAQs).
2. Download your hall ticket from the student login and write IOQM. It is an offline OMR exam with no negative marking.
3. Check your score and RMO status in the student dashboard.
4. If you qualified for RMO, register for RMO in the registration window (no fee). Registration is required even if you qualified.
5. Write RMO on 15 November 2026. It has 6 questions in 3 hours, and you must write full proofs.
6. If you qualify, write INMO on 17 January 2027 (6 proof-based questions in 4.5 hours).

How students move from one stage to the next

IOQM to RMO 2026: you must score at least 10% of IOQM's total marks. Students are then ranked within their region. Category A is Classes 8–11 and Category B is Class 12.

• Top 200 Category A students from each region, plus ties
• Top 40 Category B students from each region, plus ties
• 5 extra Category A girls from each region (girls' quota). There is no separate girls' quota in Category B.

These are the official cutoffs published on ioqm.mtai.org.in. Students flagged for malpractice were removed before the cutoffs were calculated. Your own status is shown on your dashboard.

RMO 2026 to INMO 2027: you need a non-zero RMO score. Then, from each region:

• the top 30 Category A students, with ties broken by IOQM score
• the top 6 Category B students
• 5 extra Category A girls

Frequently asked questions

When is RMO 2026?

15 November 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, as announced by HBCSE. Only students who qualified through IOQM 2026 and registered for RMO can write it.

What is the IOQM 2026 cutoff for Maharashtra?

In the Maharashtra-Mumbai region, the cutoffs are 37 (Class 8–11), 35 (Class 8–11 girls) and 45 (Class 12). In the "Goa, Maharashtra" region they are 42, 40 and 52. Check your dashboard to see which region you are in.

When is INMO 2027?

17 January 2027, 12:00 to 4:30 pm.

Can I still register for IOQM 2026?

No. Enrolment closed in late July 2026 and the exam was on 6 September 2026. The next chance is IOQM 2027, expected around September 2027 with registration around June–July 2027.

Who can write IOQM?

Students in Class 8 to 12 born between 1 August 2007 and 31 July 2014 who have not finished Class 12. Students who have already passed Class 12 are not eligible.

Is there a fee for RMO?

No. RMO registration is free, but it is required. The only fee in the programme is the IOQM fee (₹300, or ₹180 for KV and JNV students).

Official sources

• HBCSE: Mathematical Olympiad 2026-2027 (RMO and INMO dates)
• IOQM official portal, MTA(I): dates, fees, FAQs, student login
• IOQM 2026 eligibility criteria (PDF)
• Criteria for qualifying from IOQM 2026 to RMO 2026 (PDF)
• RMO 2026 region-wise cutoffs (PDF)
• Criteria for qualifying from RMO 2026 to INMO 2027 (PDF)

Last checked 26 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official websites.