India celebrated a remarkable achievement at the 14th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2025, held in Prishtina, Kosovo, from April 11 to 17, 2025. The Indian all-girls team, comprising Sanjana Chacko, Shreya Mundhada, Saee Patil, and Shreya Gupta Ray, secured two silver and two bronze medals, placing India 12th overall among nearly 60 participating countries. This stellar performance underscores the growing prominence of Indian girls in international mathematics competitions and highlights their passion for problem-solving. This SEO-optimized article delves into the EGMO 2025 results, the team’s journey, preparation strategies, and the significance of their success. For official updates, visit olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in.
EGMO 2025: India’s Medal Haul
The European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) is a prestigious international mathematics competition exclusively for high school girls with a deep interest in mathematics beyond the standard curriculum. India’s four-member team delivered an outstanding performance at EGMO 2025, with the following results:
- Silver Medals:
- Sanjana Chacko (16, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala)
- Shreya Mundhada (15, Mumbai, Maharashtra)
- Bronze Medals:
- Saee Patil (18, Pune, Maharashtra)
- Shreya Gupta Ray (18, Kolkata, West Bengal)
- Team Rank: 12th out of ~60 countries
- Team Leadership: Dr. Mrudul Thatte (Leader, TIFR, Mumbai), Aditi Muthkhod (Deputy Leader, CMI, Chennai), Ananya Ranade (Observer, CMI, Chennai)
This achievement marks the second time since India’s debut in 2015 that all four team members won medals at EGMO, following a similar feat in 2024.
The Journey to EGMO 2025
India’s path to EGMO 2025 was rigorous, involving multiple stages of selection and intensive training:
- Regional Mathematical Olympiad (RMO):
- The journey begins with the RMO, a regional-level exam testing mathematical aptitude.
- Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO):
- Top RMO performers qualify for the INMO, a national-level competition with challenging problems.
- EGMO Training Camp (EGMOTC):
- The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), conducts an intensive training camp.
- Shortlisted girls undergo rigorous preparation in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics.
- Final Selection:
- The top four girls are selected to represent India at EGMO, based on camp performance.
The National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) and DAE fund the training and participation, ensuring structured support. The team’s success is attributed to the EGMO Training Camp, past medallists’ mentorship, and dedicated faculty.
Meet the Medalists: Stories of Passion and Perseverance
The EGMO 2025 team showcased exceptional talent and determination. Here’s a glimpse into their journeys:
- Sanjana Chacko (Silver):
- A 16-year-old from Kerala, Sanjana used online platforms like the Sufi Fellowship and co-directs an online math club with Saee Patil. She prepared using books like Euclidean Geometry in Mathematical Olympiads by Evan Chen and aims to compete in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 2026.
- Shreya Mundhada (Silver):
- At 15, the Mumbai-based prodigy emphasized visualization in problem-solving, describing math as “forming pictures in your head.” Her dedication led to a silver medal in her EGMO debut.
- Saee Patil (Bronze):
- An 18-year-old from Pune, Saee started her Olympiad journey at age 10. She finds inspiration in intuitive problem-solving, often getting ideas at night. She plans to study mathematics at the Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI).
- Shreya Gupta Ray (Bronze):
- The 18-year-old from Kolkata began preparing in Class 7, mastering IOQM and national-level Olympiads. She spent days solving complex problems, enjoying the process, and will pursue mathematics and computer science at CMI.
Their stories highlight the blend of hard work, creativity, and love for mathematics that fueled India’s success.
EGMO 2025: Competition Format
The EGMO is a two-day competition, with participants solving three problems per day (six total) in 4.5 hours each day. Problems cover:
- Algebra: Equations, inequalities
- Geometry: Euclidean and coordinate geometry
- Number Theory: Divisibility, primes
- Combinatorics: Counting, graph theory
Each problem is scored out of 7 points, with a maximum of 42 points. Medals are awarded based on individual scores, and team rankings reflect collective performance. India’s 12th-place finish among ~60 countries underscores the team’s ability to tackle these high-level challenges.
Significance of India’s EGMO 2025 Performance
India’s two silver and two bronze medals at EGMO 2025 are significant for several reasons:
- Promoting Gender Diversity: EGMO encourages girls to excel in mathematics, a field historically male-dominated. India’s consistent success (medals every year since 2015) boosts female participation.
- Global Recognition: The 12th-place ranking among top nations like the USA, China, and Russia highlights India’s growing mathematical prowess.
- Inspiration for Youth: The medallists’ stories inspire young girls to pursue STEM, aligning with India’s push for innovation and education excellence.
- Structured Support: The role of HBCSE, NBHM, and DAE showcases India’s robust Olympiad ecosystem, fostering talent through rigorous training.
This achievement builds on India’s strong Olympiad legacy, including 4 gold, 1 silver at IMO 2024 and 2 silver, 2 bronze at EGMO 2024.
Preparation Tips for Future EGMO Aspirants
Aspiring EGMO participants can follow these SEO-optimized tips to prepare effectively:
- Start Early: Begin with regional Olympiads like IOQM in Class 7 or 8 to build a strong foundation.
- Master Core Topics: Focus on algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics using books like Modern Olympiad Number Theory by Aditya Ranjan or The Art and Craft of Problem Solving by Paul Zeitz.
- Join Online Communities: Platforms like Art of Problem Solving or Sufi Fellowship offer practice problems and peer discussions.
- Practice Past Papers: Solve previous EGMO and IMO problems to understand question patterns and difficulty.
- Seek Mentorship: Connect with past medallists or join math clubs for guidance, as Sanjana and Saee did.
- Stay Persistent: Solving complex problems may take days, but perseverance is key, as Shreya Gupta emphasized.
- Explore AI Tools Cautiously: While AI like ChatGPT may assist with basic concepts or coding for Informatics Olympiads, it’s less effective for advanced math problem-solving.
Role of AI in Olympiad Preparation
The medallists shared mixed views on AI in Olympiad preparation:
- Sanjana Chacko: AI can help understand concepts but isn’t effective for Olympiad-level problem-solving.
- Saee Patil: AI may assist in Informatics Olympiads by reviewing code syntax but lacks the depth for EGMO-level mathematics.
For now, traditional resources like books, mentorship, and practice remain critical for success.
India’s Olympiad Legacy and Future Prospects
India has excelled in international Olympiads since its debut, consistently winning medals in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Astronomy. Notable achievements include:
- IMO 2024: 4 gold, 1 silver, 1 honourable mention, 4th place globally.
- EGMO 2024: 2 silver, 2 bronze medals.
- IPhO 2024: 2 gold, 3 silver medals, 4th place.
- IOAA 2024: 1 gold, 4 silver medals.
The EGMO 2025 success reinforces India’s reputation, with Sanjana Chacko planning to compete in EGMO 2026 and IMO. The upcoming IOAA 2025, hosted by India, offers another chance to shine.
Conclusion
India’s two silver and two bronze medals at the 14th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad 2025 in Kosovo mark a proud moment for the nation. Sanjana Chacko, Shreya Mundhada, Saee Patil, and Shreya Gupta Ray have showcased exceptional talent, placing India 12th globally and inspiring future generations of girls in mathematics. Supported by HBCSE, NBHM, and DAE, their achievement highlights the power of dedication, mentorship, and structured training. Aspiring mathematicians can follow their lead by starting early, practicing rigorously, and leveraging resources like olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in. Congratulations to Team India for making the nation proud at EGMO 2025!
