NSEC — older updates
Every cycle of news + important dates we've captured for National Standard Examination in Chemistry, oldest cycles at the bottom. Live information is on the main exam page; this archive preserves what each previous cycle officially announced.
Older news (16)
The Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO) will be held on January 30, 2027 from 1:30-4:30 PM for students who qualify NSEC. The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2027 will take place in July 2027, with OCSC dates to be announced by January 15, 2027.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
IAPT has confirmed that the NSEC 2026-27 examination will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2026 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at designated centres across India. This is the first stage towards the International Chemistry Olympiad pathway.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
The Indian Association of Physics Teachers has announced that the enrolment fee for NSEC 2026-27 will be ₹300 per student per subject, which is non-refundable. Students must register through their school centres or directly on the IAPT portal.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
Centre registration for the National Standard Examination in Chemistry started on August 1, 2026 and will continue until August 20, 2026 via iapt.org.in. Student enrolment will follow from August 21 to September 14, 2026.
Read full notice →Archived 23 Aug 2026
The National Standard Examination in Chemistry will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at designated centres across India. This is the first stage towards the International Chemistry Olympiad.
Read full notice →Archived 11 Aug 2026
IAPT is expected to announce the registration process in August 2026, with applications likely accepted from late August through mid-September. The application fee is approximately ₹300.
Read full notice →Archived 11 Aug 2026
India secured 2 Gold and 2 Silver medals at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad held in Dubai in July 2025. The NSEC 2025-26 cycle will lead to IChO 2026 in Uzbekistan.
Read full notice →Archived 11 Aug 2026
IAPT has announced that online registration for National Standard Examinations including NSEC 2026-27 will open on 1 August 2026. Students can register directly through iapt.org.in or via authorised exam centres. Registration fee is Rs. 300 per subject.
Read full notice →Archived 21 Jul 2026
HBCSE has confirmed that mandatory registration for the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (second stage after NSEC) was held from January 6-17, 2026. Students qualifying from NSEC must register for subsequent stages.
Read full notice →Archived 11 Aug 2026
The Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO) 2026 results have been released by HBCSE. Students selected for the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) have been announced. Top performers will have the opportunity to represent India at IChO 2026 in Uzbekistan.
Read full notice →Archived 21 Jul 2026
IAPT has released the NSEC Merit List 2026 for students shortlisted for INChO 2026. The list is available in Group A and Group B categories. Students can also download their NSE 2025 scorecards from the student portal at iapt.org.in.
Read full notice →Archived 21 Jul 2026
IAPT has requested all students to download their final score cards again from 31 December 2025 onwards. Students who scored equal to or above MI (Merit Index) in their initial scorecards will be allowed to appear in INChO 2026 as a special case.
Read full notice →Archived 21 Jul 2026
The Indian Association of Physics Teachers has announced that registrations for the NSEC 2026-27 cycle will open in the coming weeks. Schools must coordinate bulk registrations through the designated HBCSE portal as individual registrations are not permitted.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
HBCSE has confirmed that the NSEC will continue with its standard format of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours. The examination tests concepts across physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry at the Class XI-XII level.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
Students who qualified through NSEC for the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad training program have commenced their advanced preparation. The multi-stage selection process ultimately aims to identify team members for international representation.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
IAPT has reiterated that NSEC is open to students studying in Class XI and XII during the academic year. Students must register through their schools, and homeschooled candidates need special coordination with regional coordinators.
Read full notice →Archived 5 Jul 2026
Older dates (20)
IChO 2027 International (estimated)
Tue, 6 Jul, 2027International Chemistry Olympiad for selected team members, typically July
Archived 11 Aug 2026
🏅International Chemistry Olympiad 2027 (expected)
Mon, 5 Jul, 2027Final team of 4 students represents India internationally
Archived 21 Jul 2026
International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)
Thu, 1 Jul, 2027July 2027; final stage for selected students representing India
Archived 23 Aug 2026
OCSC Chemistry Camp 2027 (estimated)
Thu, 6 May, 2027Orientation-cum-Selection Camp for top ~35 INChO qualifiers, April-May timeframe
Archived 11 Aug 2026
INChO 2027 result and OCSC selection (expected)
Fri, 12 Mar, 2027Top ~35 students selected for Orientation-cum-Selection Camp
Archived 21 Jul 2026
🏅INChO 2027 exam (expected)
Wed, 10 Feb, 2027Held in January/February for NSEC qualifiers; around 300-350 students shortlisted
Archived 21 Jul 2026
Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC) begins
Fri, 5 Feb, 2027Top INChO performers invited to training camp for international team selection
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏅INChO 2027 exam (estimated)
Mon, 1 Feb, 2027Indian National Chemistry Olympiad, second stage, typically held in late January/February
Archived 11 Aug 2026
🏅Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO)
Sat, 30 Jan, 2027January 30, 2027; 1:30-4:30 PM for NSEC qualifiers
Archived 23 Aug 2026
NSEC results expected
Fri, 15 Jan, 2027Results typically announced in mid-January by IAPT
Archived 23 Aug 2026
INChO merit list publication
Fri, 15 Jan, 2027Top 1% state-wise qualifiers selected for Indian National Chemistry Olympiad
Archived 23 Aug 2026
NSEC 2026-27 result announcement (expected)
Mon, 11 Jan, 2027Results typically announced in January; top 1% state-wise qualify for INChO
Archived 21 Jul 2026
NSEC 2026 results announcement (estimated)
Mon, 11 Jan, 2027Results typically declared in January via IAPT website; top 1% qualify for INChO
Archived 11 Aug 2026
INChO 2027 registration window (estimated)
Wed, 6 Jan, 2027Mandatory registration for qualified NSEC students on HBCSE portal, typically early January
Archived 11 Aug 2026
🏅INChO examination window
Tue, 22 Dec, 2026Indian National Chemistry Olympiad for NSEC qualifiers
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏅NSEC 2026 Exam Day
Mon, 23 Nov, 202623 November 2026 (Sunday), 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at designated centres
Archived 21 Jul 2026
🏅NSEC 2026 Exam Day
Mon, 23 Nov, 2026Sunday, November 23, 2026, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, pen-and-paper mode
Archived 11 Aug 2026
NSEC results announcement
Sun, 22 Nov, 2026Qualifying students announced for Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO)
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏅NSEC 2026-27 examination
Sun, 22 Nov, 2026Sunday, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM; 2-hour written exam at registered centres
Archived 23 Aug 2026
🏅NSEC examination date
Fri, 23 Oct, 2026National Standard Examination in Chemistry conducted at registered school centers
Archived 5 Jul 2026
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