DIMAPUR: Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) and Mission SOAR on November 5, 2026 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Science Olympiad of Nagaland (SONYA), a state-level initiative aimed at promoting scientific thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
The MoU was signed at the NBSE office by NBSE chairperson Rangumbuing Nsarangbe and Mission SOAR’s Shikha Institute director Karishma Shanghvi.
Open to Class 9 students from NBSE-affiliated schools across the state, SONYA introduces a new approach to science assessment by focusing on reasoning and application of scientific concepts rather than rote memorisation.
Speaking on the occasion, Nsarangbe described the launch of the Science Olympiad as a significant milestone for the board.
“Signing this MoU to launch the Science Olympiad is a milestone for the Board, the first in so many years. We believe we are doing something new that will change the way science is studied in our schools, and we hope it will strengthen the entire ecosystem of science education in the state,” he said.
The olympiad will consist of a single 150-minute examination carrying 100 marks. Students will be required to solve five real-life science-based problems involving graphs, tables, diagrams or experiments, followed by analytical and application-oriented questions.
Organisers informed that there would be no additional syllabus, as all questions would be based on science concepts taught in Classes VI to VIII. The examination is designed to evaluate students’ ability to interpret evidence, analyse data and apply scientific understanding to practical situations, rather than test memorisation.
Students will write the examination at their own schools or at designated nearby centres.
All participants will receive certificates, while the top 100 performers will be recognised with Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit awards. The top achievers will share a total prize pool of Rs. 1 lakh.
NBSE has encouraged schools and parents to register students who demonstrate curiosity and interest in science, emphasising that the competition is not intended only for academic toppers but also for students with strong reasoning and analytical abilities.
The olympiad is sponsored by Shikha Institute, which will collaborate with NBSE in developing the question paper and training evaluators.
Addressing the gathering, Shanghvi said SONYA aimed to identify and nurture students capable of thinking like scientists.
“SONYA will ask students to interpret evidence, analyse data, question claims and apply their understanding to real problems. Shikha’s sponsorship of SONYA signifies our goal not merely to identify students who score well in science examinations, but to nurture young people who think like scientists,” she said.
NBSE informed that details regarding the examination date, registration process and examination centres would be announced shortly.
Mission SOAR is a state-wide initiative aimed at transforming public education in Nagaland through innovative teaching practices, capacity building and systemic reforms while promoting grade-level competency, 21st-century skills and a strong sense of identity among students.
