International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

IBO 2026 – International Biology Olympiad (Complete Guide)

The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is the world’s most prestigious biology competition for secondary school students. Established in 1990, the IBO is held annually in different countries, bringing together the brightest young biologists from over 80 nations across five continents. The competition aims to evaluate students’ knowledge, analytical skills, and laboratory abilities through both theoretical and practical examinations, while promoting interest in biology and fostering international scientific collaboration.

The 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026) will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania in collaboration with Vilnius University.

IBO 2026 – Event Overview

IBO 2026 – Important Dates

Note: National selection processes (like India’s NSEB and INBO) are conducted in the months leading up to the international event, typically starting in November–January.

IBO 2026 – Syllabus

The IBO does not have a fixed syllabus, but the competition follows operational guidelines that specify the topics covered in both theoretical and practical examinations.

Theoretical Examination Topics

The theoretical exam covers the following topics with specified weightage:

Detailed Breakdown of Theoretical Topics:

• Cell Biology: Structure and function of cells and their components, Biotechnology (principles and applications), Microbiology (structure, classification, physiology of microorganisms).
• Plant Anatomy and Physiology: Emphasis on seed plants – structure, function, growth, development, reproduction, nutrition, transport, and hormonal regulation.
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology: Focus on vertebrates, especially humans – digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems.
• Ethology: Innate and learned behavior, communication, orientation, navigation, reproductive behavior, social behavior, and behavioral ecology.
• Genetics and Evolution: Mendelian and molecular genetics, population genetics, mechanisms of evolution, speciation, phylogeny, and evolutionary history.
• Ecology: Ecosystems, population dynamics, community ecology, biogeochemical cycles, conservation biology, and environmental issues.
• Biosystematics: Principles of classification, taxonomic hierarchy, nomenclature, phylogeny, and major groups of organisms.

Practical Examination Topics

The practical exam tests laboratory skills and experimental techniques in the following areas:

• Biochemistry: Enzyme assays, chromatography, spectrophotometry, protein and nucleic acid analysis.
• Bioinformatics: Sequence analysis, database searching, phylogenetic tree construction, structural bioinformatics.
• Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis experiments, transpiration measurements, plant hormone bioassays, seed germination studies.
• Zoology and Biosystematics: Dissection, identification of specimens, anatomical studies, taxonomic classification.
• Molecular Biology: PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA isolation and analysis.
• Microbiology: Sterilization techniques, culture methods, staining, identification of microorganisms.

International Group Project Topics

Since 2020, the International Group Project has been added as an additional component of IBO. Teams of students from different countries collaborate to prepare a research proposal on one of the following topics and present it as a poster:

• Biomedicine
• Bionics and Biomimicry
• Across Species
• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence

Stages of The Biology Olympiad Program

The International Biology Olympiad is the culmination of a multi-stage national selection process. In India, the following stages lead to participation in IBO:

1. Stage 1: National Standard Examination in Biology (NSEB)
   • Conducted by the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences (ATBS) in November–December of the previous year.
   • Syllabus covers biological sciences up to Class 12 level.
   • Objective-type questions.
   • Registration fee: ₹200 (subject to change).
2. Stage 2: Indian National Biology Olympiad (INBO)
   • INBO 2026 Exam Date: February 1, 2026 (tentative)
   • Conducted by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) for top performers from NSEB.
   • Descriptive and problem-solving questions requiring deeper understanding.
   • Syllabus is the same as NSEB.
3. Stage 3: Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC)
   • OCSC 2026 Dates: April–May 2026 (tentative)
   • Approximately top 35 students from INBO are invited to a 3-4 week training camp at HBCSE, Mumbai.
   • Includes theoretical and experimental training, plus several observational/experimental tests.
   • Final selection of 4-member Indian team occurs at the end of this camp.
4. Stage 4: Pre-Departure Training Camp (PDC)
   • The selected team undergoes intensive training in specialized laboratories at HBCSE.
   • Thorough training on experimental and theoretical concepts to prepare for IBO.
5. Stage 5: Participation in IBO 2026
   • The Indian team travels to Vilnius, Lithuania, to represent India at the 37th International Biology Olympiad.

IBO 2026 – Exam Pattern

IBO 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria to participate in IBO 2026:

• Age Limit: Contestants must be under 20 years of age as of July 1, 2026.
• Education Level: Must be secondary school students (typically Class 12 or equivalent). Recent graduates who have not yet commenced university studies are also eligible.
• Nationality: Must be a citizen of the country they represent and possess a valid passport of that country.
• Selection: Must be selected through the country’s official national biology olympiad program (winners of National Biology Olympiad).
• Team Size: Each participating country can send a maximum of 4 students and 2 delegation leaders (jury members).
• Knowledge: Must have strong conceptual understanding and practical skills in biology.

IBO 2026 – Participation Fee

The participation fee covers accommodation, food, local transport, excursions, and all competition-related activities during the IBO 2026 event period. The fee does not include international travel to the host country.

IBO 2026 – Awards and Recognition

Awards are distributed based on the total scores achieved by contestants. The medal distribution follows the guidelines established by the IBO Steering Committee, with approximately 70% of participants receiving medals or certificates of merit.

All participants receive a certificate of participation. The award ceremony is a highlight of the IBO, celebrating the outstanding achievements of young biologists from around the world.

IBO 2026 – Preparation Tips

• Master the fundamentals: Build a strong foundation in all areas of biology using standard textbooks like NCERT Biology (Class 11 and 12), Campbell Biology, and Raven’s Biology.
• Understand the syllabus thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with the complete IBO syllabus and ensure you have covered all topics in depth, with special attention to weightage distribution.
• Solve past papers: Practice previous years’ IBO problems (available at ibo-info.org) to understand question patterns, difficulty level, and expected solution quality.
• Focus on conceptual depth: IBO problems require deep conceptual understanding and analytical thinking, not just memorization of facts.
• Develop practical skills: Practice laboratory techniques including microscopy, dissection, chromatography, spectrophotometry, and biochemical assays. Hands-on experience is crucial for the practical examination.
• Master data analysis: Practice interpreting experimental data, creating graphs, performing statistical analysis, and drawing conclusions.
• Study across disciplines: IBO increasingly incorporates bioinformatics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Be familiar with basic computational tools and techniques.
• Join training programs: Participate in national training camps, summer schools, and coaching programs offered by HBCSE and other institutions.
• Form study groups: Collaborate with fellow aspirants to discuss problems, share insights, and learn from each other.
• Time management: Practice solving problems under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.

IBO 2026 – Past Papers and Resources

Previous years’ IBO question papers, along with solutions, are available on the official IBO website. Candidates can download them directly from:

Official IBO Information Center: http://www.ibo-info.org

Recommended Books:

• NCERT Biology (Class 11 and 12) – for fundamentals
• Campbell Biology – Jane B. Reece et al.
• Biology – Peter H. Raven et al.
• Biochemistry – Jeremy M. Berg et al.
• Genetics – Peter J. Russell
• Ecology – Michael Begon et al.
• Practical Skills in Biology – Allan Jones et al.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – IBO 2026

1. When and where will IBO 2026 be held?
The 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026) will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania from July 12 to July 19, 2026.

2. What is the age limit for IBO 2026?
Contestants must be under 20 years of age as of July 1, 2026.

3. Can university students participate in IBO?
No. IBO is exclusively for secondary school students. Students who have commenced university studies are not eligible.

4. How many students can a country send to IBO?
Each country can send a maximum of 4 students and 2 jury members (delegation leaders).

5. How can an Indian student qualify for IBO 2026?
Indian students must clear: NSEB → INBO → OCSC (training camp) → PDC → final selection for IBO team. The process is conducted by ATBS and HBCSE.

6. What is the exam pattern for IBO?
IBO consists of two separate examinations: Theoretical (two papers, 3 hours each, 50% weightage) and Practical (3-4 experiments, 1.5 hours each, 50% weightage), plus an International Group Project.

7. What is the syllabus for IBO?
The theoretical syllabus covers Cell Biology, Plant Physiology, Animal Physiology, Ethology, Genetics and Evolution, Ecology, and Biosystematics. The practical exam tests biochemistry, bioinformatics, plant physiology, zoology, molecular biology, and microbiology.

8. How are medals awarded at IBO?
Medals are awarded based on t-score normalization. Typically, Gold medals are awarded to the top 10-12% of participants, followed by Silver and Bronze medals, and Certificates of Merit.

9. What is the participation fee for IBO 2026?
A full delegation (4 students + 2 jury members) pays USD 2,500.

10. When is the INBO 2026 exam?
The Indian National Biology Olympiad (INBO) 2026 is expected to be held on February 1, 2026.

Important Notes and Disclaimers

• This page is updated for IBO 2026 based on information from official sources including ibo2026.lt, ibo-info.org, and HBCSE.
• The 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026) will be hosted by Vilnius, Lithuania from July 12 to July 19, 2026.
• National selection processes and deadlines vary by country. Indian students must follow the schedule announced by ATBS and HBCSE.
• All dates, fees, and procedures are subject to change. Candidates must regularly visit the official IBO website (https://www.ibo2026.lt) and their national olympiad website for the latest updates.

This page is for informational purposes only. ALLEN Overseas has verified the information from official sources. However, candidates must refer to official notifications from the respective organizing bodies for final confirmation.