🪐 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2025 

📌 What is IOAA?

• An annual international competition in astronomy and astrophysics for high school students.
• Founded in 2007 (Thailand).
• Aims to promote astronomy education, global collaboration, and scientific temperament.

📍 IOAA 2025 – Key Facts

• Host Country: India 🇮🇳
• Venue: Mumbai, organised by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR.
• Dates: 10–20 August 2025.
• Participants: 50+ countries expected.

📰 Why in News?

• The IOAA Governing Council suspended Israel’s participation for 2025, citing humanitarian concerns linked to the Palestine conflict.
• This has triggered a global debate on whether science competitions should remain apolitical or can be used as a tool of science diplomacy.

🌍 Significance for India

• Strengthens India’s role in science education & space diplomacy.
• Enhances India’s soft power in STEM fields.
• Boosts India’s profile in astronomy research, aligning with ISRO’s missions (Aditya-L1, Chandrayaan-3, future manned space mission).
  
  Updated - August 20, 2025 10:28 am | The Hindu