Indian Team Shines at International Linguistics Olympiad 2025 with Gold, Silver, and Bronze

India has achieved a historic feat at the 22nd International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) 2025, held in Taipei, Taiwan from July 20 to 27, by winning one gold, one silver, one bronze, and two honourable mentions—including India’s first-ever team-level honourable mention.

The four-member student team represented the country with distinction, making this year’s IOL India’s most successful performance since it began participating in 2009.

Meet the Medal Winners

The Indian team included:

• Vaageesan Surendran (Gold Medal) – A multilingual student from Chennai, known for his strong command of languages and scripts.
• Advay Misra (Bronze Medal) – Just 12 years old and hailing from New Delhi, Advay is considered an academic prodigy.
• Nandagovind Anurag – Received an individual honourable mention. Based in Bengaluru, he is set to join Oxford University.
• Siripurapu Bhuvan – Also earned an individual honourable mention. He is from Hyderabad.

In addition, the team collectively earned a team-level honourable mention—India’s first at the IOL.

Guided by Experts

The team was led by Professor Parameswari Krishnamurthy from IIIT-Hyderabad, a noted figure in computational linguistics. The group was also accompanied by Anshul Krishnadas Bhagwat, a former IOL participant and undergraduate researcher at IIIT-Hyderabad, who served as an observer.

About the IOL

The International Linguistics Olympiad is one of 13 official International Science Olympiads, and is considered one of the most intellectually demanding competitions for high school students globally.

Participants are challenged with solving complex linguistic puzzles that test logic, pattern recognition, and a deep understanding of language structures—without needing prior knowledge of the specific languages used.

The 2025 edition saw 227 contestants from 57 teams, representing 42 countries around the world.

A Landmark Moment for India

This year's results mark a milestone for India’s participation in the IOL:

• Every team member received individual recognition, a first in India’s IOL history.
• The team brought home its first team-level honourable mention.
• The performance reflects growing excellence in linguistics and analytical reasoning among Indian students.

The Indian team’s success is also a testament to the effectiveness of the Panini Linguistics Olympiad (PLO) selection process.

The Road to IOL: Rigorous Training and Selection

India’s path to the IOL begins with the Panini Linguistics Olympiad (PLO), a national competition with:

• Two rounds of selection
• A national training camp in Hyderabad

Students undergo intensive preparation—not just in solving linguistic problems but also in developing analytical thinking, collaboration, and cross-cultural communication skills.

This well-structured pipeline ensures that India sends its best-prepared candidates to the international stage.

Voices from the Champions

Vaageesan Surendran (Gold Medallist):

Credited his passion for problem-solving and language as key drivers behind his success. Fluent in multiple languages and scripts, he epitomizes the intellectual curiosity that the IOL celebrates.

Advay Misra (Bronze Medallist, Age 12):

Described the IOL as “a celebration of linguistic diversity.” Despite being the youngest in the team, his analytical ability stood out on the global stage.

Nandagovind Anurag:

Expressed how the Olympiad helped him form global friendships and build a deeper appreciation of languages. He encouraged future participants to “learn just as much from the friendships as from the problems.”

Siripurapu Bhuvan:

Echoed similar sentiments, describing the IOL as both an academic and cultural experience, one that broadens perspectives and forges lasting international bonds.

Building a Global Community Through Language

The IOL is not just about medals—it fosters a unique global community of young minds passionate about language, logic, and learning. By solving linguistically complex challenges, participants also:

• Gain insight into lesser-known languages and cultures
• Explore language evolution, structure, and diversity
• Develop critical thinking and collaboration skills

The Indian team emphasized that enjoying the journey and connecting with peers from across the world is just as important as performing well.

Conclusion

India’s stellar performance at the International Linguistics Olympiad 2025 in Taipei is more than just a medal tally—it’s a reflection of the country’s rising talent in linguistics, logic, and global collaboration.

With each team member winning an individual award and the country bagging its first-ever team-level honourable mention, India has firmly established itself as a serious contender on the global IOL stage.