Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh honors Team India for historic nine-medal haul at 19th International Earth Science Olympiad
Distilled Policy Brief
- Team India achieved its best-ever performance at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026 in Turin, Italy, securing 9 medals (4 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze).
- The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) facilitates this initiative through a national-level exam conducted by the Geological Society of India, followed by intensive training for top performers.
- The government promotes scientific curiosity in Earth System Science through outreach programs and national missions like Deep Ocean Mission and PRITHVI.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026 held in Turin, Italy; MoES outreach programs; Geological Society of India's role in talent identification.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Role of institutional support and structured training in fostering scientific temper among school students; importance of Earth System Science in national development.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) and India's participation, consider the following statements: 1. The participation of Indian students in the IESO is facilitated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through a structured national-level selection process. 2. The IESO competition exclusively evaluates students through theoretical written examinations, excluding any field-based or project-based assessments. 3. The Ministry of Earth Sciences promotes scientific curiosity in Earth System Science through initiatives such as the Deep Ocean Mission and PRITHVI. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is correct as the MoES facilitates participation through a national-level exam conducted by the Geological Society of India. Statement 2 is incorrect because the IESO includes practical exams, International Team Field Investigations (ITFI), and Earth Science Projects (ESP), not just written exams. Statement 3 is correct as the government utilizes national missions like Deep Ocean Mission and PRITHVI to foster scientific interest in Earth System Science.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.