National Astronomy Olympiad

National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) is an early stage talent hunt program for the school students in Nepal. It’s an annual program for junior (class 8-10) and senior (class 11-12) students in Nepal providing an opportunity to learn communication, collaboration, critical thinking and critical writing to for their personal growth to support their academic career in STEAM field in future. The program has three stages namely the provincial round (entrance exam), national round and final round respectively which will be held between January -July of each year. The final round creates the national merit list for both junior and senior categories for the different regional and international astronomy Olympiads held each year.

The first round of the 12th National Astronomy Olympiad 2025 will be held from 12:00 Hrs-14:00 Hrs on January 25, 2025. Click here to download the application form.

Are you an NAO-Alumni (participated in our olympiad program during 2014-2024? Scan to join the NAO-Alumni Network

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The program is only for Nepali citizens, in case of minors, we need birth certificate and minor certificate. Foreign nationals studying in Nepal are not eligible for the program.

For the the 12th NAO2025: students currently studying at class 8-10 or equivalent and born after July 1, 2009 are eligible for junior category | students currently studying at class 11-12 or equivalent and born after July 1, 2005 are eligible for senior category | Registration Fee is NRs 1,000/-

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*** Notice ***

The First Round of the 12th National Astronomy Olympiad 2025 will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2024 (Magh 12, 2081). Click here to download the application form. 

Registration Deadline is January  17, 2025 (Magh 4, 2081)

For any queries related to NASO activities in your province, please do not hesitate to contact our coordinators designated to handle the activities in their respective provinces:

  • NASO Koshi: Dev Raj Sapkota (9841521281), Damak
  • NASO Madhesh: Nashir Mulla (9807637322), Janakpur
  • NASO Bagmati: Suresh Bhattarai (9843708248), Kathmandu
  • NASO Gandaki: Raj Kumar Dhakal (9856025604), Pokhara
  • NASO Lumbini: Mukti Nath Paudel (9841026434), Butwal
  • NASO Karnali: Pushpa Raj Acharya (9860211202), Surkhet
  • NASO Sudurpashchim: Prem Raj Joshi (9849915594), Dhangadhi

~The registration of the 12th National Astronomy Olympiad 2025 (NAO2025) is open. Click here to download the Application Form~

Please contact NASO office for any queries related to the participation at the IOAA, IOAA-jr, IAO and APAO to be held in 2025. 

NAO Syllabus

Senior Category: Click here to download

Junior Category: Click here to download

 Important Dates

Registration Deadline: January 17, 2025 (Registration Fee: NRs. 1,000/- )

  • Step 1: Provincial/First Round (January 25, 2025)
  • Step 2: Second Round/National (February 2025)
  • Step 3: Final Round/Closed Camp (March 2025)
  • Step 4: Announcement of National Merit List for 2025
  • Step 5: Selection of National Delegation for IOAA, IOAA-jr, IAO and APAO (as per the invitation received from the organizers)
  • Step 6: Pre-departure Training/s (Hybrid)
  • Step 7: International Participation (IOAA, IOAA-jr, IAO or APAO)

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**Notice**

You can submit your application documents (duly filled application form, Marksheet of SEE or BLE or equivalent and Character Certificate) along with registration fee payment proof (You can either pay in cash or fonepay using QR code available in the form). Please note that the payment remarks should be ‘Your Full Name+NAO2025’ in fonepay. 

For any support, please do not hesitate to contact our province coordinator/s.

Please contact them or NASO Office, Kathmandu (9843708248) for any guidance to complete your application. In case you are outside of Bagmati Pradesh, you are encouraged to contact our provincial coordinators: 

  • Koshi Pradesh: Mr. Dev Raj Sapkota (Mobile: 9841521281, Email: hermitsapkota@gmail.com) 
  • Madhesh Pradesh: Mr. Nashir Mulla (Mobile: 9807637322, Email: nashir.micro07@gmail.com)
  • Bagmati Pradesh: Ms. Manisha Dwa (Mobile: 9843708248 nasonepal@gmail.com)
  • Gandaki Pradesh: Mr. Raj Kumar Dhakal (Mobile: 9856025604, Email: rkdhakal29@gmail.com)
  • Lumbini Pradesh: Mr. Mukti Nath Paudel (Mobile: 9841026434, Email: mukti.paudel2004@gmail.com)
  • Karnali Pradesh: Dr. Pushpa Raj Acharya (Mobile: 9860211202, Email: armalepushpa@gmail.com)
  • Sudurpashchim Pradesh: Mr. Prem Raj Joshi (Mobile: 9849915594, Email: prem.vjoshi@gmail.com)

For latest updates, Click Here to join our Viber Community!

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Application Open for 12th National Astronomy Olympiad 2025
Click here for the NAO2025 registration form

Application Deadline: Friday, January 17, 2025

First Round: January 25, 2025

Each year this competition creates a national merit list for the regional and international astronomy Olympiads. Between July-December, selected students will get an opportunity to participate at International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for juniors (IOAA-jr), International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) and Asian-Pacific Astronomy Olympiad respectively.

Following students have received awards for Nepal at the different international Olympiads during 2014-2024.

  • 2024: Mr. Eric Bastola, Honorable Mention, 17th IOAA, Brazil
  • 2023: Mr. Sudip Rokaya, Honorable Mention, 16th IOAA, Poland and Mr. Drishant Kumar Maharjan, Bronze Medal, 27th IAO, China
  • 2022: Ms. Prashansa Thapa, Mr. Yogesh Kumar and Mr. Alson Gajurel, Honorable Mentions, the 1st IOAA-jr, Romania
  • 2022: Mr. Rohan Bhattarai, Honorable Mention, 15th IOAA, Georgia
  • 2021: Mr. Yubraj Bhandari, Bronze Medal, 14th IOAA, Colombia
  • 2020: Mr. Rahul Ranjan Sah and Mr. Anshuraj Sedai, Honorable Mentions, Global e-Competition on Astronomy and Astrophysics (GeCAA). And, 6 Honorable Mentions under team category!
  • 2019: Mr. Rahul Ranjan Sah, Bronze Medal, 24th IAO, Romania
  • 2018: Mr. Bishal Baral, Special Award, XXIII IAO, Sri-Lanka
  • 2016 & 2017: Mr. Bijaya Chandra Luitel, Honorable Mention,  10th IOAA, India and 11th IOAA, Thailand respectively

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Sample Papers

Click here to download the past paper for Junior Category

Click here to download the past paper for senior category

How to apply for NAO2025?

  • Download NAO2025 Application Form and fill in carefully with your motivation to participate in the competition (this section carries 5 marks!).
  • Open your bank App and pay the registration fee using QR code in the form. Payment Remarks must be “Your name+NAO2025”
  • Submit the duly filled application form, photocopies of SEE mark-sheet (For Senior Category) or BLE or class 7 mark-sheet (for those who are in class 8) (For Junior Category), character certificate, birth certificate, citizenship certificate or Minor Certificate and payment slip to one of our representative nearby you.
  • In case of there is no representative, you can send the application via email to our representative at your province and nasonepal@gmail.com with. For any assistance, you can call NASO Office (9843708248) from 10:00 HRs-17:00 Hrs except holidays.

For any queries or application submission for NAO2024, please feel free to contact us:

  • Dev Raj Sapkota (9841521281), Koshi Pradesh (sapkotadevrajdmk[at]gmail.com)
  • Nashir Mulla (9807637322), Madhesh Pradesh (nashir.micro07[at]gmail.com)
  • NASO Office (9843708248), Bagmati Pradesh (nasonepal[at]gmail.com)
  • Raj Kumar Dhakal (9856025604), Gandaki Pradesh (rkdhakal29[at]gmail.com)
  • Mukti Nath Paudel (9841026434), Lumbini Pradesh (mukti.paudel2004[at]gmail.com)
  • Pushpa Raj Acharya (9860211202), Karnali Pradesh (armalepushpa[at]gmail.com)
  • Prem Raj Joshi (9821630233), Sudurpashchim Pradesh (prem.vjoshi[at]gmail.com)

Students must submit their application to one of them and appear for the first stage exam at their respective province. For special case, student can submit in one province and attend exam in another province only if his/her request is approved from NASO office. 

Who can apply for NAO2025?

  • Students who are born after July 1, 2009 and currently studying at class 8-10 or equivalent are eligible for the Junior Category.
  • Students who are born after July 1, 2005 and currently studying at school or will finish 10+2 or equivalent in 2025 are eligible for the Senior Category

***Registration deadline: January 17, 2025***

How to prepare for NAO2025?

  • Students first need to identify eligibility for either junior or senior category.
  • There will be three rounds in the National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO): First Round (Entrance/Province Level), Second Round (Pre-closed Camp/National Level) and Third Round (Closed Camp)
  • Students must be a part of National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO) to be eligible for the further round or any other opportunities in 2025.
  • Students who show good performance at the Entrance/Province Level will be selected for the Second Round/National Level.
  • Students selected for the second round/National Level (pre-closed camp) will go through several hands-on tasks and only good performing students will be selected for the third round/ (closed camp).
  • Students will have classes on theoretical astrophysics, observational astronomy, and data analysis. A merit list is created based on the performance of the students in the final exam as well as overall performance during the closed camp.
  • The highest scorers in both junior and senior categories will be announced as the absolute winners of the NAO2025 and will receive trophy, certificates and medals.
  • All the participants from the closed camp will be provided certificates as per their merit and opportunity to participate at IOAA, IAO, IOAA-jr, APAO, etc as per their merits.*
  • Information of the opportunity to participate in the international and regional olympiads will be circular to the closed camp participants at first.

What after NAO2025?

  • Students will get exposure as per their merits. Featured in media and provide an opportunity for their strong community engagement through our outreach programs.
  • Students will get an opportunity to attend international Olympiads as per their merits.
  • Students will be facilitated for the scholarship opportunities for their higher studies in Nepal and abroad based on their merits.

If you have any queries regarding your eligibility or for the nearest entrance exam location, please do not hesitate to call us at 9843708248. Our team will be happy to guide you to complete your application and be a part of this national competition.

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Latest Updates:

  • Application for the 12th National Astronomy Olympiad 2025 is opened on December 10, 2024. Registration deadline is January 17, 2025. First Round Exam is scheduled for January 25, 2025. Click here to download the application form.
  • Nepal hosted the 3rd International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics- junior 2024
  • Nepal received Honorable Mentioned at the 17th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics held in Brazil.
  • The result of the closed camp/final round of the 11th National Astronomy Olympiad 2024 has been published. Click here for the result
  • The results of the second round of the 11th National Astronomy Olympiad 2024 has been published. Click here for the result.
  • The result of the first round of the 11th National Astronomy Olympiad 2024 has been published. Click here for the result.
  • Registration for the 11th National Astronomy Olympiad 2024 is now open. Registration Deadline is January 19, 2024. The first round will be held on January 27, 2024.
  • Nepal received a Bronze Medal  at the 27th IAO held in China during November 6-14, 2023. Congratulations to Mr. Drishant Kumar Maharjan for bagging Honorable Mention for Nepal.
  • Nepal received an Honorable Mention  at the 16th IOAA held in Poland during August 10-20, 2023. Congratulations to Mr. Sudip Rokaya for bagging Honorable Mention for Nepal.
  • National Merit lists of the 10th National Astronomy Olympiad 2023 for both junior and senior categories are now available.
  • The third round of the 10th National Astronomy Olympiad 2023 will be held during June 23-30, 2023. Selected students from the second round will be invited to participate in the closed camp. National merit list will be published during the first week of July 2023.
  • The second roun of the 10th National Astronomy Olympiad 2023 will be held during June 1-15, 2023 virtually. Selected students will be provided assignments with the deadline for submission June 16, 2023
  • The registration of the 10th National Astronomy Olympiad 2023 is open. The first round examination will be held on Saturday February 25 2023. Click here to download the registration form.
  • The The pre-registration of the 10th National Astronomy Olympiad 2023 is open until January 21, 2023. Click here to register.
  • Nepal received three Honorable Mentions at the 1st IOAA-jr held in Romania during October 30-November 7, 2022.
  • The official logo of the 10th National Astronomy Olympiad 2023 has been announced. Click here to read the announcement.
  • The final result of the 9th National Astronomy Olympiad 2022 (NAO2022) is published on June 30, 2022. Click here for result of junior category. Click here for result of senior category.
  • The results of the junior and senior categories of the first round of the 9th National Astronomy Olympiad 2022 is now available. Click here for the junior category. Click here for the senior category. Congratulations to all!
  • The application for the 9th National Astronomy Olympiad is open now! The first round will be held on May 7, 2022 across seven cities in seven provinces in Nepal. The regular application deadline April 30, 2022. Extended application deadline is M̵a̵y̵ ̵2̵,̵ ̵2̵0̵2̵2̵ May 5, 2022.
  • The Third/Final Round result of the senior category of the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 is now available. Click here for the result.
  • The Third/Final Round result of the junior category of the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 is now available. Click here for the result.
  • The second round result of the senior category of the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 is now available. Click here for the result.
  • The second round result of the junior category of the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 is now available. Click here for the result.
  • The first round result of the senior category of the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 is now available. Click here for the result.
  • The first round result of the junior category of the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 is now available. Click here for the result. Congratulations to all the students selected for second round!
  • The first round of the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 will be held online! Students are requested to contact our respective province coodinator/s for any assistance/guidance to complete their application.
  • The first round of 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 26, 2021 as many students and teachers requested to organize the selection after all the exams are over in Nepal. The new application is June 19, 2021! So, hurry up!
  • Registration opens for the 8th National Astronomy Olympiad 2021 (NAO2021). Registration deadline is March 31, 2021. The first round/province level will be held on April 10, 2021. Click here to download application form!
  • Nepal receved 6 more Honorable Mentions under team category of the Global e-Competition on Astronomy and Astrophysics (GeCAA).
  • Nepal received two Honorable Mentions at Global e-Competition on Astronomy and Astrophysics (GeCAA). Congratulations to Mr. Anshuraj Sedai and Mr. Rahul Ranjan Sah for bagging HMs for Nepal.
  • The final result of the senior category of the NAO2020 is now available. Click here to see the national merit list.
  • The Final/Third round (closed camp) of the 7th National Astronomy Olympiad 2020 (NAO2020) will be held during July 25-31, 2020!
  • The result of the Second round of the 7th National Astronomy Olympiad 2020 senior category has been published now!
  • The Second round of the 7th National Astronomy Olympiad 2020 (senior category) will be held during February 15-March 15, 2020!
  • The result of the First round of the 7th National Astronomy Olympiad 2020 (both senior and junior categories) has been published!
  • The 7th National Astronomy Olympiad 2020 conducted successfully in Nepal. Result will be published during the first week of February 2020!
  • Exam centers for all seven provinces has been announced!
  • Late Application deadline announced as January 7, 2020. Those students who missed the regular application deadline i.e. December 31, 2019 can now submit their application with a late registration fee (NRs 1,250/-) until January 7, 2020!
  • First Round Examination will be held during 12:00 -14:00 Hrs on Saturday, January 18, 2020! Details on the exam center for all seven provinces will be provided soon!
  • NAO2020 Application Form is now available for download. Students are requested to start preparing their application before the deadline.
  • Mr. Shuneel Khadgi from Lalitpur won the 7th National Astronomy Olympiad Logo Competition 2019! Check out this news: www.revoscience.com/np/2019/12/03/21836
  • Submission for the 7th National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO2020) is now open. For submission: http://bit.ly/2pEzrHo! Submission is open until November 20, 2019.
  • Five teachers selected for the ‘Astronomy Olympiad Exposure Camp’ in India during November 5-8, 2019.
  • Nepal received Bronze Medal at the 24th International Astronomy Olympiad 2019 held in Piatra Neamt, Romania during October 18-27, 2019.
  • Nepal participated at the 13th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2019 (IOAA2019) held in Hungary during August 1-10, 2019.
  • The result of the third round of the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad (NAO2019) is now available!
  • The result of the second round of the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 (NAO2019) for the junior and senior categories are published today! Click here for the result of the junior category. Click here for the result of the senior category.
  • The results of the first round of the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 (NAO2019) for the junior and the senior categories are published today! Click here for the result of the junior category. Click here for the result of the senior category.
  • We are currently evaluating the answer-sheet of the students and the result of the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 (NAO2019) will be available by February 20, 2019.
  • Total of 111 students participated in the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad held at all seven provinces of Nepal.
  • NAO2019 will be held in all seven provinces from 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 26, 2019. Click here for more details.
  • Following several requests from students and schools, the NAO2019 application deadline has been extended until Wednesday, January 23, 2019! The first round of selection will be held during 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM on  Saturday, January 26, 2019! Don’t miss the opportunity!
  • An updated syllabus is now available for the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019. Click here to download the syllabus for Junior Category. Click here to download the syllabus for Senior Category.
  • There will be separate question papers for each category! Updated Syllabus will be available soon. Stay tuned!
  • Application opens for the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019! The first selection round will be held on Saturday, 12:00-14:o0 Hrs, January 26, 2019! Click here to download the application form! Submission deadline is Friday, January 18, 2019!
  • Er. Reman Bala bags the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019 Logo Competition! For more info, click here.
  • Total of 13 logos has been selected for further evaluation! Shortlisted logos have been contacted for further information.
  • Thank you all for your valuable inputs for our logo competition! We received a total of 83 logos! Our team will evaluate the submitted logos and contact shortlisted logos for further information.
  • Application open for the 6th National Astronomy Olympiad 2019: Logo Competition! The application deadline is November 30, 2018! Click here to submit your logo. For more info, click here to read our latest blog.
  • Mr. Shronim Tiwari, Mr. Bedant Lohani, Mr. Shubham Sharma, Mr. Rubek Poudel & Mr. Pratik Bhandari will represent Nepal at the 12th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, Beijing, China, November 3-11, 2018.
  • Mr. Hem Shrestha and Ms. Sumi Gurung from province 1 participated at the Astronomy Olympiad Exposure Camp, Mumbai, India, October 22-25, 2018.
  • Mr. Bishal Baral received a special award for the best result among the new participating countries at the 23rd International Astronomy Olympiad, Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 6-14, 2018.
  • Mr. Bishal Baral (NAO2018 Rank: 6th) and Mr. Hardik Shrestha (NAO2018 Rank: 8th) will be participating in the 23rd International Astronomy Olympiad, Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 6-14, 2018.
  • Nepal will participate in the 23rd International Astronomy Olympiad, Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 6-14, 2018.
  • Nepal will participate in the 13th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics  (IOAA2018), Beijing, China, November 3-11, 2018.
  • The 5th National Astronomy Olympiad Closed Camp result is out now. Click here for the result.
  • The closed Camp will be held at Southwestern State College (SWSC)-Basundhara, Kathmandu during August 3-10, 2018.
  • Mr. Bijaya Chandra Luitel & Mr. Tarun Timalsina, NAO and IOAA alumni, will join the academic team of the 5th National Astronomy Olympiad.
  • The pre-closed camp result is out now! Click here for the result.
  • The pre-closed camp assignment submission deadline has been extended till June 30, 2018.
  • The pre-closed camp (Second round) is ready to welcome selected students from the first round during May 25-June 15, 2018.
  • The pre-selection (First round) examination result has been published this morning. Click here for press release and the merit list.
  • The pre-selection (First round) examination result will be available on March 31,2 018!
  • The pre-selection (First round) examination will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018, during 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM at Biratnagar, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dhangadi only. Please note that reporting time at the exam center is 11:00 AM.
  • The application deadline has been extended till February 15, 2018! The late application fee is NRs. 1,100/- only. Feel free to visit one of our application centers located at Biratnagar, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Dhangadi (please refer to the Handbook for more details) to submit your application.
  • Application deadline closes on February 9, 2018! Feel free to visit one of our application centers located at Biratnagar, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Dhangadi (please refer to the Handbook for more details) to submit your application.
  • National Astronomy Olympiad Orientation will take place in Pokhara on December 31, 2017. (Contact Teju Ram Sunar for more details)
  • National Astronomy Olympiad Orientation will take place in Chitwan on December 30, 2017. (Contact Niraj Lamichhane for more details)
  • NAO2018 Application Form and Handbook is now available!
  • The NAO2018 application is now open! The last date to submit the application is Friday, February 9, 2018!
  • The NAO2018 logo has been selected!
  • Five teachers participated in Astronomy Olympiad Exposure Camp in India!