Undergraduate students from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have achieved a historic feat by securing 6th place at the 12th Physics League Across Numerous Countries for Kick-ass Students (PLANCKS) 2025 in Barcelona. This marks the highest global ranking ever secured by an Indian team in the prestigious theoretical physics competition.
Team Denormalisation: India’s Rising Physics Talent
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Team Members: Simar Narula, Ritabrata Ghosh, Susmit Roy, and Avik Das
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Selection Process: The team qualified by winning the Indian Young Physicist’s League (IYPL), India’s national selection event for PLANCKS.
The Challenge: PLANCKS 2025, Barcelona
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PLANCKS is a highly competitive, four-hour, closed-book theoretical physics contest designed to test advanced conceptual problem-solving abilities.
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Participants solved non-routine problems, including a complex question about determining the origin time of the universe using parameters such as cosmic densities, the cosmological constant, and dark matter data.
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The competition drew over 200 students from 29 countries.
Beyond the Competition: Scientific and Cultural Enrichment
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The event included lectures by leading physicists, including Nobel Laureate Anne L’Huillier.
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Participants visited cutting-edge research centers such as gravitational-wave facilities and photonics labs.
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The Indian team also experienced cultural landmarks of Barcelona, including Montjuïc Hill and the historic cathedral, enriching their global academic exposure.
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Their travel and participation were sponsored by the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs (ODAA), IISc.
Student Reflections
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Simar Narula emphasized the role of IISc’s rigorous academic environment: “The aptitude people have in IISc helped us approach problems conceptually and creatively.”
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Ritabrata Ghosh noted: “These weren’t competitive exam-type questions. They demanded real understanding, not memorization.”
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The team described the announcement of their result as deeply emotional and motivating.
National Significance
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This is India’s highest-ever finish at PLANCKS, a remarkable breakthrough on the global academic stage.
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Their success signals the growing depth of undergraduate research and conceptual excellence in Indian physics education.
The Road Ahead
The IISc team is already looking ahead to PLANCKS 2026, aiming to build on their momentum and represent India at an even higher level.
