Sumant Gupta won a gold medal at the 2026 International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), after winning silver in 2025, according to a Moneycontrol interview published October 9, 2026. He said Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar deepened his curiosity about space, time and the universe—but the film was one influence among several, alongside his early participation in science and astronomy Olympiads.
From watching Interstellar to studying astronomy
Gupta told Moneycontrol that Interstellar prompted him to think more about space, time and the universe. It helped deepen an interest that was also taking shape through junior science and astronomy Olympiads he participated in around Class 9. The account does not describe the film as the sole beginning of his interest.
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That distinction matters: the film offered a spark, while his involvement in Olympiads gave him a route to explore astronomy more seriously.
How Gupta prepared for the Olympiad
Self-study and training
In the interview, Gupta said he began preparing for astronomy Olympiads around Class 9 and typically spent about four to five hours on self-study, depending on his other commitments. That is his reported personal routine, not a recommended or typical schedule for other students.
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He also said he used PhysicsWallah’s Vidyapeeth program in 2026. The interview describes his own preparation; it does not establish that the program caused his medal result or recommend it to other candidates.
A more careful approach to the exam
After the previous year’s competition, Gupta said he tried to learn from his mistakes and manage time more carefully. “I was more aware of the mistakes I had made last year, so I tried to be more careful, especially with time management,” he told Moneycontrol.
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One tactic he described was attempting easier questions first. The change in approach accompanied his move from silver in 2025 to gold in 2026, but the interview does not establish that any single tactic explains the result.
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Gupta recalled a difficult moment in the telescope round in Hanoi: he could not locate the correct target. His account is a reminder that a gold-medal result can include setbacks during the competition, rather than reflecting a perfect performance at every stage.
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What Gupta said about his future
As of the October 9, 2026 interview, Gupta was considering physics and possibly research but had not chosen a career direction. He said, “I think it’s important to first understand what you genuinely enjoy before choosing a particular field.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about his medal record
Moneycontrol reported that Gupta won IOAA silver in 2025 and gold in 2026. The interview is the source for those results; this account does not independently verify them against official IOAA results or delegation records. It also does not establish details such as his hometown, school or age.
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