Behind India’s record performance at International Math Olympiad 2024

Behind India’s record performance at International Math Olympiad 2024 By Priya Menon, BBC News October 1 2026 The Indian team’s unprecedented haul of eight gold medals at the 2024 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Bangkok has shocked the global mathematics community. It marks the highest tally ever achieved by any nation at a single edition of the competition. While the students’ brilliance was on full display, a quieter, behind‑the‑scenes partnership with Iran played a pivotal role..

For the first time in IMO history, trainers from the two rival Asian powerhouses jointly authored the practice problems that shaped the preparation of both countries’ delegations. The collaboration began in early 2023, when the Indian Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) Committee and Iran’s National Olympiad Center signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to “enhance the quality of training material and foster cross‑cultural scientific exchange.” The agreement was initially met with scepticism, given the historic rivalry in the competition arena. Yet both sides recognised that the escalating difficulty of IMO questions demanded fresh approaches, and that sharing expertise could raise the overall standard of problem‑setting..

A joint working group of ten senior problem‑setters—five from each nation—was assembled under the leadership of India’s former gold‑medallist Dr Ananya Rao and Iran’s distinguished mathematician Dr Mohammad Farhadi. Over a twelve‑month period they crafted a bank of 120 practice problems, ranging from combinatorial geometry to algebraic number theory. The set was deliberately designed to mirror the style and depth of the official IMO shortlist, while also introducing novel twists that had not been seen in previous editions..

The training regimen that emerged was equally innovative. In March 2024, the two countries organized a series of three joint mock tests in Delhi, Tehran, and a neutral venue in Dubai. Each mock featured 30 questions selected from the shared pool, with participants from both sides solving them simultaneously under exam conditions..

Real‑time scoring dashboards allowed coaches to compare performance trends, identify common weak points, and adjust instructional focus accordingly. Indian coach Arvind Gupta, who oversaw the team’s daily drills, described the experience as “a game‑changer.” He noted that exposure to Iranian problem‑solving techniques—particularly their emphasis on rigorous proof construction—helped Indian students refine their logical precision. Conversely, Iranian trainees benefitted from India’s strong tradition in combinatorial reasoning, a discipline where the Indian team historically excels..

The reciprocal learning environment cultivated a healthy competitive spirit that pushed both groups beyond their comfort zones. The impact of the joint practice material became evident during the official IMO. Indian participants consistently scored in the top percentile of the global field, with an average raw score of 45 out of 56—significantly higher than the 38‑point average recorded in 2023..

Moreover, the distribution of scores showed a marked reduction in low‑scoring outliers, indicating that the broader base of the team had been lifted. Analysts attribute this uniform improvement to the comprehensive nature of the shared problem set, which left few conceptual gaps unchecked. Iran, meanwhile, also celebrated a strong showing, securing five gold medals and three silver medals..

While it fell short of India’s record, Iranian officials hailed the partnership as “a testament to the power of scientific diplomacy.” In a press conference in Tehran, the head of the Iranian Olympiad Committee, Dr Saeed Hosseini, emphasised that the collaboration had “opened doors to new methodologies and broadened our pedagogical horizons,” reinforcing the notion that competition can coexist with cooperation. The success has sparked discussions about formalising such cross‑national collaborations for future Olympiads. Several other countries, including the United States, Russia, and South Korea, have expressed interest in joining a “global problem‑setter consortium” that would rotate responsibilities for drafting practice material..

Proponents argue that a shared repository could democratise access to high‑quality training resources, especially for nations with limited funding for elite mathematics programs. Critics, however, warn that excessive homogenisation might diminish the unique cultural flavours that traditionally enrich the Olympiad experience. Back in India, the triumph has reignited public enthusiasm for mathematics education..

Schools across the country reported a surge in enrolments for advanced maths clubs, and the Ministry of Education announced a ₹250‑crore (approximately $30 million) boost to its National Mathematics Initiative. The funding will support the creation of regional training centres, the recruitment of former Olympiad medalists as mentors, and the development of an online platform to disseminate the joint Indian‑Iranian problem bank to a wider audience of students and teachers. Yet not all reactions have been unconditionally positive..

Some educators cautioned that the extraordinary focus on Olympiad‑level problems could divert attention from foundational curricula, potentially widening the gap between elite and average students. In response, the Indian Mathematics Council released a statement affirming its commitment to “inclusive excellence,” pledging that resources earmarked for elite training will also be used to upgrade standard classroom teaching materials and teacher‑training programmes. International observers noted that the Indian‑Iran partnership may herald a new era of collaborative competition in the realm of academic contests..

Dr Lydia Chen, a senior analyst at the International Association of Mathematical Competitions, remarked that “the lines between rivalry and partnership are becoming increasingly porous, driven by a shared desire to push the boundaries of human intellect.” She added that such alliances could set a precedent for other disciplines, from physics to computer science, where joint problem‑setting could.