ACM India unveils National AI Olympiad 2026 to spot school talent for global AI stage

Announced by ACM India, the national chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, on Thursday (December 18), the initiative aims to identify and train students capable of representing the country at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) next year.

National gateway to global AI competition

The INAIO 2026 has been positioned as India’s only accredited pathway to the IOAI, a prestigious international competition that brings together top young minds in artificial intelligence from across the world. 

Students who excel in the national selection process will go on to represent India at IOAI 2026, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from August 2 to August 8, 2026.

The Olympiad is open to Indian students currently studying in Classes IX to XII and is designed to test both conceptual understanding and practical problem-solving skills in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Exam details and eligibility

The INAIO 2026 test will be conducted online on January 18, 2026, with live proctoring and administration handled by the assessment technology platform HireMee. 

Registration for the exam is currently open and will close on December 31, 2025.

Students born after August 2, 2006, will be eligible for consideration for the IOAI selection process. 

Performance in the national test will determine progression through multiple evaluation stages, ultimately leading to the final Indian contingent for the international Olympiad.

Direct entry for top Olympiad performers

ACM India has also provided a fast-track route for students who have already demonstrated excellence in related competitions. 

Toppers from Olympiads such as the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO), Indian National Olympiad in Informatics (INOI), Physics League Olympiad (PLO), and Bebras will be granted direct entry into Stage 2 of INAIO 2026.

This provision is expected to attract a strong pool of high-performing students with proven analytical and computational skills.

Focus on real-world AI skills

Unlike traditional competitive exams, INAIO follows a structured, multi-stage evaluation model that emphasises both theoretical foundations and real-world modelling abilities. 

The framework is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of machine learning concepts while encouraging practical application, reflecting the evolving demands of AI education and research.

According to ACM India, the Olympiad is intended not only as a selection mechanism but also as a learning journey that exposes students to advanced technologies and global academic standards.

Recognition, prizes and academic exposure

Participants in INAIO 2026 will receive digital certificates acknowledging their involvement in the national competition. 

The top three national rankers will be awarded prizes, while high performers stand to gain international recognition through their association with a globally accredited Olympiad.

In addition, the first 500 applicants will receive access to HireMee’s Career Navigation Assessment, which is otherwise priced at ₹1,599. 

ACM India has noted that strong performance at the Olympiad level can also enhance prospects for scholarships and admissions to leading universities worldwide.

Growing focus on AI education

The launch of INAIO 2026 comes amid a broader push to strengthen artificial intelligence education in India, particularly at the school level. 

With AI increasingly shaping higher education, research and industry, initiatives such as INAIO are being seen as critical platforms for early talent identification and structured skill development.

Students, schools and parents interested in participating can find detailed information and registration links on the official INAIO India website.