ACM India Launches National AI Olympiad 2026 to Scout for Talent from the Schools to Compete in the International AI Platform

One major step in the right direction for school talent in AI, in my opinion, would be INAIO 2026, which stands for Indian National AI Olympiad of 2026.

This was announced by the ACM India chapter, a national chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, on Thursday (December 18). “The plan is to identify students to be selected to attend the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in the next year,” an announcement said.

The INAIO 2026 has been launched as the only approved alternative for this purpose in India, as it is one of the premier international forums where the brightest young minds meet to showcase their thoughts on Artificial Intelligence.

The aim of conducting this Olympiad is to check their understanding as well as aptness for applications related to Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

The INAIO 2026 exam is going to be an online exam that is scheduled for January 18th. It will be proctored, and it is going to be conducted through the online assessment technology platform provided by HireMee.

The process of registering for the exam is currently ongoing and would be closed by the 31st of December, 2025.

Candidates with birthdates after August 2nd, 2006 will be qualified to apply to the IOAI hiring process.

The result of the performance on the national test will decide the progress at various levels of assessment until the Indian team selection for the international olympiad.

ACM India has also developed a fast track system for students who have already showcased excellence in some other competitive events.

Shortlisted toppers from various olympiads like Indian National Mathematical Olympiad, Indian National Olympiad in Informatics, Physics League Olympiad, and Bebras will be selected to directly move to Stage 2 for INAIO 2026.

This should attract lots of qualified and bright students who possess analytic and mathematical skills.

Unlike in other competitive exams, for which there is a requisite pattern in holding levels, INAIO has a planned pattern for its levels, focusing not only on theoretical knowledge, but also on being able to model in a highly skilled fashion. This will help the participants broaden their knowledge of concepts, as well as encourage applications related to machine learning. This is in line with the emerging needs of education in AI technology.

As quoted in an article by ACM India, “The goal of the Olympiad program is not merely a mechanism of choice, but also an experience of the latest technology and international norms.” E-certificate holders will be distributed to all participants at INAIO 2026 as appreciation for their attendance at the national competition.

The top three students in the entire country will receive prizes, while the best students will achieve international recognition through their association with a world-famous Olympiad. Also, the initial 500 applicants would be able to avail the Career Navigation Assessment of the service of HireMee, which would cost them Rs. 1,599 separately.

ACM India has also observed that performance in Olympiad problems can also help improve the chances of being offered a scholarship and admission in top universities abroad. The INAIO 2026 inauguration has been followed by the initiative to enhance the education system of artificial intelligence in India, specifically in schools. As the impact of AI is rising in the higher education system, research, and industries, initiatives such as the INAIO are being considered as highly significant platforms where the talents are being recognized and developed at a young age. The students, schools, or parents interested in INAIO India can gather the required information regarding INAIO India from the official website of INAIO India.