Kolkata, 11 June (H.S.):

A team of four undergraduate students from India has secured an unprecedented sixth place at PLANCK-2025, a prestigious international competition in theoretical physics held in Barcelona, Spain. This marks the highest-ever global ranking achieved by an Indian team in the history of the event.

The Indian team comprises Simar Narula, Ritobroto Ghosh, Sushmita Roy, and Avik Das — with three of them, Ritobroto, Sushmita, and Avik, hailing from West Bengal. The competition, known for its rigorous problem-solving challenges in theoretical physics, draws participation from some of the brightest young minds across the world.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated the students for their exceptional performance and lauded their achievement as a proud moment for both India and Bengal. Taking to social media, the Chief Minister wrote,

“Our youth have made India and Bengal proud by securing a top rank in this challenging international competition. Avik had earlier excelled in secondary, higher secondary, and state-level joint entrance examinations. Ritobroto and Sushmita from Chakdaha have also consistently demonstrated academic excellence. This achievement not only reflects their brilliance but also proves that our young talents are fully capable of facing global challenges.”

The Chief Minister also extended her gratitude to the parents, guardians, and teachers of the students, emphasizing that such accomplishments are the result of collective effort and support.

PLANCK-2025 is a globally recognized theoretical physics competition that challenges participants to solve complex problems requiring deep understanding and innovative thinking. The Indian team's sixth-place finish stands as a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in scientific education and research.

In her message, CM Banerjee also expressed hope that Indian students will continue to shine on international platforms and bring greater laurels to the nation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh