Newz Desk, Durgapur: Durgapur has added another feather to its cap as Soumik Mandal, a student of DAV Model School, Durgapur, brought home two Gold medals from the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026, held in Turin, Italy, from August 20 to 27.
Competing against students from 39 countries, Soumik secured Gold medals in the Written and Practical Competition and the International Team Field Investigation. He also won a Silver medal in the Earth Systems Project, finishing third in the overall global ranking. He emerged as the top performer of the Indian contingent, which recorded its best-ever performance with nine medals, including four Gold, three Silver and two Bronze. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh felicitated the Indian winners at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi. In an official letter, he congratulated Soumik, his parents, mentors and school for the remarkable achievement.
Soumik’s success came after a rigorous national selection process supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Around 17,800 students appeared at 500 centres across the country, with the top 25 candidates selected for an intensive three-week training camp at M.S. University, Vadodara, before representing India at the international Olympiad.
