New Delhi, April 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated a landmark achievement by four Indian schoolgirls at the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2025, held in Bordeaux, France, calling it India's best-ever performance at the prestigious competition. Speaking during the 133rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, his monthly radio address, Modi praised the team's composure under intense pressure and declared himself "very proud" of the young mathematicians.

India's Historic Performance at EGMO 2025

India ranked 6th in the world at this year's European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad — the country's highest-ever placement at the tournament. The four-member team delivered an exceptional collective performance against participants from dozens of nations across Europe and beyond.

Shreya Mundhra from Mumbai etched her name in history by winning the Gold Medal, becoming a trailblazer for Indian girls in competitive mathematics. Sanjana Chacko from Thiruvananthapuram claimed the Silver Medal, while Shivani Bharat Kumar from Chennai secured the Bronze Medal. Shrimoyee Bera from Kolkata was the fourth member of the celebrated team.

This multi-medal haul marks a significant leap for Indian girls in international STEM competitions and signals the growing depth of mathematical talent being nurtured across the country.

What PM Modi Said on Mann Ki Baat

Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Modi painted a vivid picture of the challenge these students faced. "Just imagine: you are among the most talented people in the world, facing extremely difficult mathematical problems. You have only four and a half hours to solve them," he said, underscoring the immense pressure of the competition.

He described the EGMO as "one of the most prestigious competitions in the world" and specifically called out the team's outstanding result. "Our daughters performed their best ever in this Olympiad. I am very proud of this talented team," he stated.

Modi also extended his appreciation to the parents of the participants. "I appreciate their parents as well for supporting these gifted daughters," he added, acknowledging the crucial role of family encouragement in nurturing competitive academic talent.

The Rigorous Selection Process Behind the Team

The road to representing India at the EGMO is far from simple. PM Modi outlined the multi-stage selection process that filters the very best young mathematical minds from across the country.

Students must clear challenges at the regional, state, and national levels before earning a spot at a one-month Mathematics Training Camp. This intensive residential camp is organised at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) — one of India's most respected science institutions.

A final Team Selection Test conducted at the end of the camp determines who makes the cut for the national squad. The process ensures that only the most prepared and resilient students carry India's flag internationally.

Growing Olympiad Culture Among Indian Students

Modi highlighted a broader and encouraging trend — the rapidly growing participation in the Mathematical Olympiad Programme across India. "Every year, around 6 lakh students from across the country participate in this programme. This number is continuously increasing with time," he noted.

This surge in participation reflects a deepening culture of academic competition and STEM engagement among Indian youth, particularly girls. The programme serves as a critical pipeline that channels raw talent into world-class competitive arenas.

Notably, India's growing performance at global Olympiads comes amid increased government and institutional focus on science education and talent identification at the grassroots level. Initiatives like the HBCSE training camps have been instrumental in converting potential into podium finishes on the world stage.

Significance Beyond the Medals

India's 6th-place finish at EGMO 2025 is not just a sporting achievement — it is a statement about the country's intellectual capital. For decades, India has been a powerhouse in engineering and technology at the professional level, but grassroots competitive mathematics has historically been dominated by East Asian and Eastern European nations.

This result, celebrated from the highest office in the country, is likely to inspire thousands of young girls across India to pursue mathematics with greater ambition. With 6 lakh students already participating annually and numbers rising, India's Olympiad ecosystem appears to be on a strong upward trajectory heading into future international competitions.