Wed Jun 11 12:27:59 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Five Indian students have been selected to represent India at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2025, which will be held in Mumbai this August. The selection followed an intensive Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, where 37 students, chosen from a pool of nearly 500 national-level candidates, underwent rigorous training in astronomy and astrophysics. The camp, usually organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), was this year managed by IISER Mohali due to HBCSE hosting the IOAA. The OCSC involved lectures, tutorials, telescope handling, and sky observation sessions. Several universities and research institutions collaborated to deliver the program. Awards were given for outstanding performance in various aspects of the camp.

**News Article:**

**Indian Students Selected for International Astronomy Olympiad**

**Chandigarh, June 11, 2025** – Five talented Indian students have been chosen to represent the nation at the prestigious International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2025, scheduled to be held in Mumbai this August. The selection process culminated in an intensive Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) held at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali.

The selected students, Aarush Mishra, Sumant Gupta, Banibrata Majee, Panini, and Akshat Srivastava, emerged from a competitive pool of 37 participants who had been shortlisted from nearly 500 candidates nationwide based on their performance in the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad.

“The OCSC aimed to provide intensive training and assess the students’ understanding of core concepts and practical skills in astronomy and astrophysics,” explained Professor Jasjeet Singh Bagla of IISER Mohali.

This year, the responsibility of organizing the OCSC was entrusted to IISER Mohali, as the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), the usual organizer, is hosting the IOAA 2025.

During the OCSC, students participated in lectures, tutorials, telescope handling, and sky observation sessions. The curriculum was delivered by a collaborative team of astronomers and faculty members from various esteemed institutions, including the Central University of Haryana, IIT Kanpur, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

Aarush Mishra received the ‘C.L. Bhat Memorial Award’ for overall best performance, while Sumant Gupta was recognized for his excellence in observational testing. Akshat Srivastava earned awards for outstanding performance in both theory and data analysis.

The Indian team is now preparing to compete against top astronomy students from around the world at the IOAA 2025 in Mumbai.

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