The opening ceremony for the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2025 took place on August 12, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India. Key dignitaries included Chief Guest Dr. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, and Guest of Honour Prof. Ajit Kembhavi, a former Vice President of the International Astronomical Union. Representing the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Shri. Sunil Ganju then delivered a welcome message on behalf of Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE.
Dr. Arnab Bhattacharya, Chair of the LOC for IOAA 2025, delivered the opening remarks. Dr. Aniket Sule, IOAA President, then took the stage. He welcomed participants to the largest Olympiad with representation from all six inhabited continents. He noted that while the first IOAA in 2007 had 20 countries, this edition has 64, showing growth and lasting friendships. Dr. Jayaram Chengalur, Director of TIFR, addressed the gathering next. He warmly welcomed all participants to India for IOAA 2025. The opening ceremony also featured two performances. The first was a captivating musical ensemble by Manish Kulkarni and his group, bringing together renowned artists. Next came a dynamic performance by the Illuminati Dance Crew. Masters of innovation and winners of India’s Got Talent (Special), they brought energy and spectacle to the stage.
The evening culminated in an address by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi. In his speech, the Honourable Prime Minister of India highlighted how, in India, tradition meets innovation and curiosity meets creativity.