IIT Mandi Students to Represent India at International Physics League in Spain

IIT Mandi Emerges as the Only IIT Team Selected for PLANCKS 2025

Mandi, April 16, 2025 — In a landmark achievement, four students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have earned their place on the global stage by qualifying for the prestigious Physics League Across Numerous Countries for Kick-ass Students (PLANCKS) 2025. The team comprising Aneet Kaur, Bhavya, Kumar Ashish, and Bhanu Pratap Singh — all M.Sc. Physics 2023 students — will compete in the international finals in Barcelona, Spain, from May 1 to 5, 2025. The competition will be hosted by the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

The IIT Mandi team is the only one from any IIT to qualify, standing out among 41 teams across the country, including participants from India’s top institutions like IISc, other IITs, and IISERs. Their qualification came after securing the second position at the Indian Young Physicists League (IYPL) 2025 — a testament to their academic excellence and problem-solving prowess.

National Recognition Leads to International Opportunity

The selection process for PLANCKS 2025 was fiercely competitive, with India’s best physics minds vying for just three spots on the national delegation. The students from IIT Mandi now join teams from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and one other premier institute as representatives of India.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase our talent internationally and bring visibility to our institute,” said the students, expressing pride and anticipation for their participation on a global stage.

Their mentor, Dr. Bindu Radhamany, Chairperson of the School of Physical Sciences at IIT Mandi, stated, “Such academic competitions expand our students’ horizons — both intellectually and culturally. It is a proud moment for us as they bring recognition not just to IIT Mandi, but to the Indian scientific community.”

PLANCKS 2025: A Global Platform for Physics Talent

PLANCKS is a flagship initiative of the International Association of Physics Students (IAPS) and has been held annually for over a decade. The event offers a unique platform where undergraduate and postgraduate students from more than 25 countries compete in intellectually challenging physics problems while fostering global collaboration and academic exchange.

The 2025 edition in Barcelona is expected to witness a gathering of some of the brightest young physicists from across the world. With this milestone, IIT Mandi continues to enhance its reputation as a center of academic excellence and innovation in the physical sciences.