International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO) 2026-27
IGKO is the general knowledge olympiad that SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation) runs for Classes 1 to 10. It has one round.
When is IGKO 2026-27?
22 Sep 20266 Oct 20263 Nov 2026
On paper, in their own school during school hours. The school picks one of the dates.
How do I register my child, and what does it cost?
Through the school only (no individual registration). If your school doesn't run it, it can sign up free. Last date: usually 30 days before the exam date. Fee: ₹170. School may add up to ₹30. Outside India: US$11. It is free for children with a major physical disability, and for a child of a soldier martyred in defence operations.
What is in the paper?
General AwarenessCurrent AffairsLife SkillsAchievers
Classes 1 to 4: 35 questions, 40 marks. Class 5 up: 50 questions, 60 marks (questions in Achievers, the hardest section, carry 2 to 3 marks each). It takes 60 minutes. Negative marking: not published. Language: English.
What is the syllabus?
CBSE, ICSE/ISC and state boards.
The topics, class by class, as the organiser lists them:
Class 1
Me and My Surroundings, Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Language and Literature, Earth and Its Environment, Sports, Maths Fun, Life Skills (Kindness, Soft Skills, Social Skills, Do’s & Don’ts), Current Affairs and Developments. · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Class 2
Me and My Surroundings, Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Language and Literature, Earth and Its Environment, Transport and Communication, Sports, Maths Fun, Life Skills (Social Skills, Moral Values, Team Work, Communication), Current Affairs and Developments. · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Class 3
Me and My Surroundings, Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Language and Literature, Earth and Its Environment, Transport and Communication, Sports, Maths Fun, Life Skills (Moral Values, Team Work, Environmental Sensitivity, Communication, Leadership, Time Management), Current Affairs and Developments. · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Class 4
Our Body and Health, Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Environment and its Conservation, Language and Literature, Entertainment, Sports, Maths Fun, Life Skills (Moral Values, Flexibility, Emotional Intelligence, Decision Making, Team Work, Leadership, Time Management), Current Affairs and Developments. · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Class 5
Our Body and Health, Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Environment and its Conservation, Language and Literature, Entertainment, Sports, Maths Fun, Life Skills (Moral Values, Flexibility, Emotional Intelligence, Decision Making, Team Work, Leadership, Time Management), Current Affairs and Developments. · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Class 6
Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Earth and Its Environment, Universe, Language and Literature, Entertainment, Social Studies, Sports, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, Current Affairs and Developments, Life Skills (Empathy, Effective Communication, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Coping with Stress, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Skills, Managing Emotions, Self-awareness). · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Class 7
Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Earth and Its Environment, Universe, Language and Literature, Entertainment, Social Studies, Sports, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, Current Affairs and Developments, Life Skills (Empathy, Effective Communication, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Coping with Stress, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Skills, Managing Emotions, Self-awareness). · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Class 8
Plants and Animals, India and the World, Science and Technology, Earth and Its Environment, Universe, Language and Literature, Entertainment, Social Studies, Sports, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning, Current Affairs and Developments, Life Skills (Empathy, Effective Communication, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Coping with Stress, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Skills, Managing Emotions, Self-awareness). · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions from the above given Syllabus.
Syllabus topics and a sample question for your child's class:
Is there a Level 2?
No, there is one level.
How does my child get the admit card?
Roll number and admit card come through the school. If missing, the school asks SOF for a duplicate.
Is there an official IGKO answer key?
Not published on SOF's own website.
When do results come, and what can my child win?
Within 8 weeks: sent to the school, and on SOF's results page.
- Every child: a certificate and a progress report
- Zonal top 25 per class: gold medal of distinction
- School gold medals
- Cash awards for international and zonal top ranks
Where can I find IGKO sample papers and previous year papers?
One free sample paper per class to download on SOF's own website. Olympiad Owl does not share the papers themselves. Our class pages above have a free sample question each, and the app has full mock papers in the previous year paper pattern.
How can my child prepare for IGKO?
A few questions a day in the real pattern, and one full timed paper a week, works better than a last-minute rush.
From SOF's own website · SOF's results page, 25 Oct 2026.
Every olympiad by SOF
Every olympiad date for 2026-27