Zonal Informatics Olympiad

The Zonal Informatics Olympiad is the first of the three stages of the Indian Computing Olympiad, or ICO. The ICO selects approximately 30 students for a National level camp, the International Olympiad in Informatics Training Camp, from where 4 students are selected to represent India at the International Olympiad in Informatics.

About the Indian Computing Olympiad

The Indian Computing Olympiad (ICO) is a nationwide competition organized annually by the Indian Association for Research in Computing Science in coordination with CBSE. The goal of the competition is to identify school students with outstanding skills in algorithms and computer programming.

Organizers

The ZIO is conducted by the Indian Association for Research in Computing Science with organisational help from the Central Board of Secondary Education, since 2002.

Pattern of the Paper

Unlike the INOI and IOI, the ZIO is a written round. Most of the questions can be solved with the use of algorithmic techniques, although logic is usually enough.

How to Participate

Although conducted by the CBSE, participation in ZIO is open to students from all School boards. Applications have to be sent from the schools to CBSE, through the Principal. For 2006, ZIO was held on Saturday, 28th January. For the academic year(2006-2007), ZIO was held on November 18th 2006. For the year(2007-2008), the ZIO was held on Saturday, 17th November 2007. Latest information and question-papers of past ZIOs are available on the [http://www.iarcs.org.in/inoi/ INOI homepage] .

New Developments

There have been complaints in the past that the name "Informatics" is misleading. From 2006-07 the entire olympiad process (comprising the ZIO, INOI, and IOITC) has been renamed to Indian Computing Olympiad, or ICO. However the names of the various stages/examinations remains unchanged.

Eligibility

All Indian school students are eligible to participate.

External links

* [http://www.iarcs.org.in IARCS] The Indian Association for Research in Computing Science
* [http://www.iarcs.org.in/inoi ICO Homepage] Official website of the ICO, hosted by IARCS. Also conducts monthly online contests.
* [http://www.ioi2006.org The International Olympiad in Informatics, Mexico 2006]