InPhO Syllabus
The second level of India’s five-stage physics Olympiad program is called the Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO). Selection for the International Physics Olympiad is the result of it. For secondary school pupils who want to increase the breadth of their physics knowledge, they must take the exam. The IPhO is an international competitive exam that fosters global participation and acts as a benchmark for pre-university physics students. The main objective of the INPhO test is to raise student performance on the physics curriculum.INPhO Syllabus for Classes 11 and 12

Highlights of the Exam
The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education administers the INPhO exam, which is often given to upper secondary pupils on the final Sunday of January or the first Sunday of February each year. Students in grades 11 and 12 must first complete the National Standard Examination in Physics exam in order to be eligible for the INPhO exam. This test is used to choose candidates for the Physics Orientation, Curriculum, Selection, and Camp. It also serves as India’s representative in the International Physics Olympiad. The syllabus for InPhO is comparable to that of CBSE Board Classes 11 and 12.INPhO Syllabus for Classes 11 and 12
InPhO Syllabus
The INPhO syllabus and the NSEP syllabus are extremely similar. However, the syllabus is merely a general outline. Like International Olympiads, National Olympiad topics and problems are usually highly challenging and unconventional. Below is a discussion of each section’s INPhO Olympiad syllabus. To be ready for the INPhO test, students can utilize the INPhO Olympiad syllabus that is provided below. It is comparable to senior secondary education, which includes classes XI and XII.INPhO Syllabus for Classes 11 and 12
Essential Topics in Physics for Class XI
The physics syllabus for Class 11 has benefits for students. To pass the test, students must understand every significant topic and subtopic in CBSE physics. The syllabus’s chapters are broken down into ten units, as indicated below.
| Unit | Chapter Number | Name of the Chapter | Topics Covered |
| UNIT I: Physical World and Measurement | Physical World | Physics – scope and excitement Nature of physical laws Physics, technology and society | |
| 02. | Units and Measurements | Need for measurement Units of measurement; systems of units SI units, fundamental and derived units Length, mass and time measurements Accuracy and precision of measuring instruments Errors in measurement; significant figures Dimensions of physical quantities, dimensional analysis and its applications | |
| UNIT II: Kinematics | 03. | Motion in a Straight Line | Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration for describing motion, uniform and non-uniform motion, average speed and instantaneous velocity, uniformly accelerated motion, velocity-time and position-time graphs Relations for uniformly accelerated motion (graphical treatment) |
| 04. | Motion in a Plane . | Scalar and vector quantities Position and displacement vectors, general vectors and their notations Equality of vectors, multiplication of vectors by a real number Addition and subtraction of vectors, relative velocity, unit vector Resolution of a vector in a plane, rectangular components, scalar and vector product of vectors. Motion in a plane, cases of uniform velocity and uniform acceleration-projectile motion, uniform circular motion | |
| Unit III: Laws of Motion | 05. | Laws of Motion | Intuitive concept of force Inertia Newton’s first law of motion Momentum Newton’s second law of motion and impulse Newton’s third law of motion Law of conservation of linear momentum and its applications. Equilibrium of concurrent forces, static and kinetic friction, laws of friction, rolling friction, lubrication Dynamics of uniform circular motion: Centripetal force, examples of circular motion (vehicle on a level circular road, vehicle on a banked road) |
| Unit IV: Work, Energy and Power | 06. | .Work, Energy and Power | Work is done by a constant force and a variable force; kinetic energy, work-energy theorem, and power The notion of potential energy, the potential energy of a spring Conservative forces: Conservation of mechanical energy (kinetic and potential energies); non-conservative forces Motion in a vertical circle; elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions |
| Unit V: Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body | 07. | System of Particles and Rotational Motion | Centre of mass of a two-particle system, momentum conservation and centre of mass motion. Centre of mass of a rigid body; centre of mass of a uniform rod Moment of a force, torque, angular momentum, law of conservation of angular momentum and its applications Equilibrium of rigid bodies, rigid body rotation and equations of rotational motion, comparison of linear and rotational motions Moment of inertia, the radius of gyration, and values of moments of inertia for simple geometrical objects (no derivation) |
| Unit VI: Gravitation | 08. | Gravitation | Universal law of gravitation Acceleration is due to gravity (recapitulation only) and its variation with altitude and depth Gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential, escape velocity, orbital velocity of a satellite, Geo-stationary satellites |
| Unit VII: Properties of Bulk Matter | 09. | Mechanical Properties of Solids | Stress-strain relationship Hooke’s law Young’s modulus Bulk modulus Pressure due to a fluid column; Pascal’s law and its applications (hydraulic lift and hydraulic brakes), the effect of gravity on fluid pressure Viscosity, Stokes’ law, terminal velocity, streamline and turbulent flow, critical velocity, Bernoulli’s theorem and its applications Surface energy and surface tension, angle of contact, excess of pressure across a curved surface, application of surface tension ideas to drops, bubbles and capillary rise |
| 10. | Thermal Properties of Matter | Heat, temperature, ( recapitulation only) thermal expansion Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases, anomalous expansion of water Specific heat capacity; Cp, Cv – calorimetry; change of state – latent heat capacity Heat transfer- conduction, convection and radiation (recapitulation only) Thermal conductivity, qualitative ideas of blackbody radiation, Wein’s displacement Law, Stefan’s law, greenhouse effect | |
| Unit VIII: Thermodynamics | 12. | Thermodynamics | Thermal equilibrium Definition of temperature (zeroth law of thermodynamics) Heat, work and internal energy The first law of thermodynamics, isothermal and adiabatic processes The second law of thermodynamics Reversible and irreversible processes |
| Unit IX: Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory | 13. | Kinetic Theory | Equation of state of a perfect gas, work done in compressing a gas Kinetic theory of gases – assumptions, the concept of pressure Kinetic interpretation of temperature; RMS speed of gas molecules Degrees of freedom, the law of equipartition of energy (statement only) Application to specific heat capacities of gases; the concept of mean free path, Avogadro’s number |
| Unit X: Oscillations and Waves | 14. | Oscillations | Periodic motion – time period, frequency, displacement as a function of time, periodic functions. Simple harmonic motion (S.H.M) and its equation; phase; oscillations of a loaded spring restoring force and force constant; energy in S.H.M. Kinetic and potential energies; simple pendulum derivation of expression for its time period. Free, forced and damped oscillations (qualitative ideas only), resonance |
| 15 | Waves | Wave motion: Transverse and longitudinal waves Speed of travelling wave Displacement relation for a progressive wave Principle of superposition of waves Reflection of waves Standing waves in strings and organ pipes, beats |
Essential Topics in Physics for Class XII
Students might benefit from the Class 12 Physics syllabus. Students must master all of the fundamental ideas and subtopics of CBSE physics in order to pass the exam, according to the physics syllabus. Nine units comprise the various chapters in the syllabus, as indicated below.
| Unit | Chapter Number | Name of the Chapter | Topics Covered |
| UNIT I: Electrostatics | 01. | Electric Charges and Fields | Introduction to Electric Charges and Fields Electric Charge Conductors and Insulators Charging by Induction Basic Properties of Electric Charge Coulomb’s Law Forces between Multiple Charges Electric Field Electric Field Lines Electric Flux Electric Dipole-Dipole in a Uniform External Field Continuous Charge Distribution Gauss’s Law And Its Applications |
| 02 | Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | Introduction to Electrostatic Potential And Capacitance Electrostatic Potential Potential due to a Point Charge Potential due to an Electric Dipole Potential due to a System of Charges Equipotential Surfaces Potential Energy of a System of Charges Potential Energy in an External Field Electrostatics of Conductors Dielectrics and Polarisation Capacitors and Capacitance The Parallel Plate Capacitor Effect of Dielectric on Capacitance Combination of Capacitors Energy Stored in a Capacitor Van de Graaff Generator | |
| UNIT II: Current Electricity | 03. | Current Electricity | Introduction to Current Electricity Electric Current Electric Current in Conductors Ohm’s Law and Limitations of Ohm’s Law Drift of Electrons and the Origin of Resistivity Resistivity of Various Materials Temperature Dependence of Resistivity Electrical Energy, Power Combination of Resistors-Series and Parallel Cells, emf, Internal Resistance Cells in Series and Parallel Kirchhoff’s Rules Wheatstone Bridge Meter Bridge Potentiometer |
| Unit III: Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism | 04. | Moving Charges and Magnetism | Introduction Magnetic Force Motion in a Magnetic Field Motion in Combined Electric and Magnetic Fields Magnetic Field due to a Current Element, Biot-Savart Law Magnetic Field on the Axis of a Circular Current Loop Ampere’s Circuital Law The Solenoid and the Toroid Force between Two Parallel Currents, the Ampere Torque on Current Loop, Magnetic Dipole The Moving Coil Galvanometer |
| 05. | .Magnetism and Matter | Introduction The Bar Magnet Magnetism and Gauss’s Law The Earth’s Magnetism Magnetisation and Magnetic Intensity Magnetic Properties of Materials Permanent Magnets and Electromagnets | |
| Unit IV Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents Chapter–7: | 06. | Electromagnetic Induction | Introduction The Experiments of Faraday and Henry Magnetic Flux Faraday’s Law of Induction Lenz’s Law and Conservation of Energy Motional Electromotive Force Energy Consideration: A Quantitative Study Eddy Currents Inductance AC Generator |
| 07 | Alternating Current | Introduction AC Voltage Applied to a Resistor Representation of AC Current and Voltage by Rotating Vectors-Phasors AC Voltage Applied to an Inductor AC Voltage Applied to a Capacitor AC Voltage Applied to a Series LCR Circuit Power in AC Circuit: The Power Factor LC Oscillations Transformers | |
| Unit V Electromagnetic Waves | 08. | Electromagnetic Waves | Introduction Displacement Current Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic Spectrum |
| Unit VI: Optics | 09. | Ray Optics and Optical Instruments | Introduction Reflection of Light by Spherical Mirrors Refraction Total Internal Reflection Refraction at Spherical Surfaces and by Lenses Refraction through a Prism Dispersion by a Prism Some Natural Phenomena due to Sunlight Optical Instruments |
| 10. | Wave Optics | Introduction Huygens Principle Refraction and Reflection of Plane Waves Using Huygens Principle Coherent and Incoherent Addition of Waves Interference of Light Waves and Young’s Experiment Diffraction Polarisation | |
| Unit VII Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter | 11. | Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter | Introduction Electron Emission Photoelectric Effect Experimental Study of Photoelectric Effect Photoelectric Effect and Wave Theory of Light Einstein’s Photoelectric Equation: Energy Quantum of Radiation Particle Nature of Light: The Photon Wave Nature of Matter Davisson and Germer Experiment |
| Unit VIII Atoms and Nuclei | 12. | Atoms | Introduction Alpha-particle Scattering and Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of Atom Atomic Spectra Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom The Line Spectra of the Hydrogen Atom DE Broglie’s Explanation of Bohr’s Second Postulate of Quantisation |
| 13. | Nuclei | Introduction to Nuclei Atomic Masses and Composition of Nucleus Size of the Nucleus Mass-Energy and Nuclear Binding Energy Nuclear Force Radioactivity Nuclear Energy | |
| Unit IX Electronic Devices | 14 | Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits | Introduction Classification of Metals, Conductors, and Semiconductors Intrinsic Semiconductor Extrinsic Semiconductor p-n Junction Semiconductor Diode Application of Junction Diode as a Rectifier Special Purpose p-n Junction Diodes Junction Transistor Digital Electronics and Logic Gates Integrated Circuits |
Frequently Asked Questions on InPhO Syllabus
Q1 When will the InPhO exam take place?
The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education administers the INPhO exam, which is often given to upper secondary pupils on the final Sunday of January or the first Sunday of February each year.
Q2 Which phases make up the Physics Olympiad?
Stage I: National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP) –
Stage 2: INPhO (Indian National Physics Olympiad)
Stage 3: Orientation Cum Selection Camp (OCSC) –
Stage 4: PDT stands for Pre-departure Training Camp for IPhO.
Stage5: IPhO (International Physics Olympiad) – IPhO stands for Indian National Physics Olympiad
Q3 Few strategies for acing the INPhO test.
Here are some tips to make studying for the Physics Olympiad simple and effective.
- Learn everything there is to know about the topics covered in the rescored curriculum and the syllabus. It is always preferable to prepare ahead of time for competitive exams.
- Visit the official websites for updates on the examination.
- Review the InPhO past year’s papers and work through practice questions.
- Seek to enroll in a course that prepares students for these tests, either online or off.
- To learn more about the subject, read more, write more, edit more, and solve more problems.
- Revision contributes to a deeper comprehension of the material.
Q4 Where are the INPhO test sample papers available to candidates?
On the official website, candidates can find sample papers for the INPhO test to help with their preparation.
Q5 Why is this examination required?
This exam can be taken by students who wish to pursue a career in physics in order to secure a bright future. This exam is given by the IAPT in order to evaluate students’ physics knowledge and select the top candidates to represent India internationally.
Blog Site – blog.schoolconnectonline.com








Leave a Reply