City Girl from Mumbai Wins Gold at EGMO Creates History

India achieved a historic milestone after Mumbai’s Shreya Shantanu Mundhada won a gold medal at the 15th European Girls Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2026 held in Bordeaux, France. With this victory, she became the first Indian girl to secure a gold medal at the prestigious international mathematics competition exclusively for girls.

Alongside her remarkable feat, the four-member Indian team delivered an outstanding performance by winning a total of three medals — one gold, one silver, and one bronze. India secured the 6th position among 67 participating countries, marking its highest-ever team ranking at the EGMO since its debut.

The Mumbai-based Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE-TIFR), which trains India’s Olympiad teams, described the achievement as a moment of national pride and a year of remarkable milestones at the global competition.

India has participated in EGMO as a guest nation since 2015. However, until recently, the team leadership always included at least one male member. Since last year, India has fielded an entirely all-women contingent, including team leaders and observers. This year continued that milestone.

The team’s success also featured Sanjana Philo Chacko from Kerala, who won the silver medal, and Shivani Barath Kumar from Tamil Nadu, who secured the bronze medal. Shrimoyee Bera from Kolkata was also part of the four-member squad. Dr. Vaidehee Thatte served as Team Leader, Dr. Mrudul Thatte as Deputy Leader, and Aditi Muthkhod as Observer.

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EGMO Promotes Women in Mathematics as India Secures Landmark Global Ranking

Organizers launched EGMO in 2012 to address the underrepresentation of women in elite mathematics competitions. Modeled on the International Mathematical Olympiad, the contest challenges high school girls with two days of rigorous examinations that test deep problem-solving ability and mathematical creativity. The initiative aims to encourage greater female participation in STEM fields.

This year, 260 students from 67 countries, including 41 European nations, participated in the competition. India’s breakthrough performance highlights the growing strength of its young mathematicians and reflects a significant shift toward greater inclusion of girls in advanced STEM disciplines.

HBCSE, an autonomous institution under India’s Department of Atomic Energy, plays a pivotal role in identifying, nurturing, and preparing talented students for international Olympiads across Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Mathematics. The institute conducts the National Olympiad Examination, which serves as the gateway for students aspiring to represent India on global platforms.

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