Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ platform has once again become a beacon for young achievers, this time celebrating 17-year-old Sanjana Philo Chacko from Kerala, who secured a silver medal at the 2026 European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad in Bordeaux, France. The Class 12 student from Thiruvananthapuram has emerged as a national sensation, embodying the spirit of excellence in mathematics.
The path to this victory was no easy feat. Sanjana navigated a highly competitive selection pipeline starting with the IOQM, a preliminary objective exam. Successful candidates then faced the RMO and INMO, both subjective assessments that test deep mathematical insight. Only a handful of top girl performers qualified for the national training camp, where intense preparation under expert guidance honed their skills for the international stage.
Out of this elite group, four were chosen to represent India, with Sanjana making her fourth consecutive team. Her repeated selections highlight a rare blend of talent, hard work, and passion for problem-solving.
In his radio address, PM Modi commended the Indian team’s showing at EGMO, a competition that gathers brilliant young women globally to solve intricate math puzzles requiring innovative approaches. Sanjana expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, noting it would inspire many, especially girls, to chase their ambitions in STEM without hesitation.
This accomplishment comes at a time when India is pushing for greater female participation in science and technology. Sanjana’s success story is more than a personal milestone; it’s a rallying cry for educational reforms that nurture young prodigies. As she prepares for higher education, her journey reminds us that boundaries in math—and life—are meant to be broken.
