India Shines at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad With Two Silvers and Two Bronzes!
In a remarkable achievement on the global academic stage, four Indian schoolgirls made the country proud at the 14th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2025, held in Prishtina, Kosovo, from April 11 to 17. Competing against participants from more than 50 countries, India’s all-girls team walked away with two silver medals and two bronze medals, placing 12th overall. This is a big achievement that reinforces India’s growing presence in international STEM competitions.Meet the MathletesThe medal-winning team consisted of:Sanjana Chacko (16) from Kerala – SilverShreya Mundhada (15) from Mumbai – SilverSaee Patil (18) from Pune – BronzeShreya Gupta Ray (18) from Kolkata – BronzeThese young mathematical prodigies represented not just talent but determination, breaking barriers in a field where female representation continues to grow slowly but steadily.The team was mentored and led by Dr. Mrudul Thatte from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), whose guidance was instrumental in navigating the complex problems presented at the Olympiad.EGMO: A Platform That Equates PotentialEstablished in 2012, EGMO is more than a math contest — it's a mission to encourage high school girls worldwide to pursue mathematics and related sciences. Designed to boost female participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) movement, EGMO has become a stage where young women showcase their analytical prowess and redefine gender expectations in STEM."Such competitions inspire girls and build confidence that they can compete with the best globally. It took India three decades to get here — this achievement proves that girls can do just as well, if not better, in math," said Arnab Bhattacharya, Central Director of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).The success of the team wasn’t an overnight story. The girls were trained through a rigorous and structured program spearheaded by HBCSE-TIFR, which operates under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India. HBCSE has long been India's national hub for Olympiad training across disciplines like Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Biology, and Mathematics.A major contributor to the team’s preparation was the EGMO Training Camp (EGMOTC) — a dedicated effort by HBCSE that focuses on identifying and nurturing talent early. According to Sumana Amin, a spokesperson from HBCSE, "We attribute this success to the dedicated efforts of past medallists, as well as the structured training and continuous support provided by the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) and DAE."More Than Just MedalsBeyond the medals and the applause, the real victory lies in what this moment represents. It’s a powerful reminder that young Indian girls can lead, excel, and shine on the global stage. Their success speaks volumes about what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. It also highlights just how vital it is to invest in inclusive STEM education, where every girl with a dream and a spark gets the chance to thrive, no matter where she comes from.With each equation solved and medal earned, India inches closer to breaking long-held stereotypes. The future of mathematics — and science at large — is brighter with young minds like Sanjana, Shreya, Saee, and Shreya leading the charge.