Participate in NAO 2026
Step-by-step guide for Schools, Students, Experts and Volunteers
Who Can Participate
NAO is open to all Indian students enrolled in Classes 8 through 12 in any recognized school across India.
Group 1: Classes 8, 9 & 10
Minimum participation: 35 students required per school for onboarding.
Group 2: Classes 11 & 12
Minimum participation: 15 students required per school for onboarding.
Students participate through their registered school. Individual registrations are accepted for homeschooled, NIOS, international, and embassy-nominated students.
How to Register
Schools
Authorization
Principal or authorized teacher registers the school as an Examination Centre with official documentation.
Enrollment
School enrolls eligible students from Classes 8–12 with required documentation and consent forms.
Examination
School receives examination materials and guidelines for conducting Phase 1 examination at their premises.
Note
School onboarding is FREE OF COST. Schools receive a Unique School Code, Welcome Kit (handbook, posters, creatives), and a Portal to upload student registrations.
Experts
Eligibility
Professionals from academia (40%), industry (30%), or policy/regulatory sectors (30%) can apply.
Review
Applications reviewed by NAO team. Selected experts invited to join the committee.
Committee
Collaborate on curriculum planning, examination design, mentorship, and evaluation guidelines.
Individual Students
Eligibility
For homeschooled students, NIOS students, international or embassy-nominated candidates, and students from non‑participating schools.
Registration
Student registers individually with valid ID (Aadhaar/Passport), parent/guardian consent form, and IT undertaking form.
Examination
Individual Registration students take NAO 2026 ONLY in Online Mode. Must ensure availability of personal mobile/laptop. Fee structure is different and higher—see Fee Structure section below.
Volunteers & Coordinators
Expression of Interest
Teachers, college students, and professionals can express interest in volunteering as regional/school-level coordinators.
Orientation
Selected volunteers receive orientation on NAO processes, timelines, and responsibilities.
Execution
Assist with school outreach, examination logistics, and event coordination in their region.
Fee Structure
Affordable participation with special concessions for government schools, girl students, and economically disadvantaged groups.
| Category | Early Bird (Till 30 Apr 2026) | Regular (1 May – 15 Jul 2026) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | Girls | Boys | Girls | |
| 🏫Private Schools | ₹ 200 | ₹ 160 | ₹ 250 | ₹ 200 |
| 🏛️Government & Aided Schools | ₹ 75 | ₹ 50 | ₹ 100 | ₹ 75 |
| 🧑🎓Individual Registration (Special Case) | ₹ 500 | ₹ 400 | ₹ 750 | ₹ 600 |
Private Schools
Government & Aided Schools
Individual Registration (Special Case)
Note: 20% Discount on Registration rates are provided for Female Candidates to encourage diversity.
Your journey with NAO
A structured three-phase Olympiad designed to identify, nurture, and celebrate aviation talent.
Phase 1
School Level Examination
August 2026
Online / Offline School Level Screening test (90 Minutes) – Top 3 from Group 1 + Top 2 from Group 2 qualify per school.
Phase 2
State/UT Rounds
October 2026
Online / Offline State Level Screening Test – Top 3 from Group 1 + Top 2 from Group 2 per State / UT qualify for National Level.
Phase 3
National Finals
7 December 2026
145 National Finalists in New Delhi: quizzes, viva with aviation experts, presentations, and aviation experience sessions.
NAO Across India
Reaching every corner of India — 28 States, 8 Union Territories, 360+ cities
What’s Included
Every registered student receives:
Exam participation in all three phases
E-certificates for all participants
Access to learning resources and study materials
Mock test access (unlimited attempts)
Lifetime access to NAO newsletters
Benefits for Students
A rich package of rewards, recognition and opportunities across all phases
Participation
E-certificate for all registered participants. Lifetime access to NAO newsletters and 20% discount in next editions.
All Participants
Academic Recognition
Awarded to top 3 (Middle) and top 3 (Higher) students from each school. Signed by 100+ expert committee members.
Phase 1 – School Level
Performance Recognition
Top 5 winners from each State/UT Zone; includes up to ₹10,000 prize and media coverage.
Phase 2 – State/UT Round
Internship Opportunity
Top 5 winners from each State/UT Zone; internship coupon valid till end of Grade 12. Opportunities in aviation firms, airports, and aerospace institutions in India & abroad.
Phase 2– State/UT Round
National Honour
Top 5 National winners from each grade; prize up to ₹1,00,000 and national-level felicitation.
National Finale
Drone Pilot License
Fully paid drone pilot license training by DGCA-approved RPTO to all 145 finalists of National Finale.
State/National Finalists
Career Mentorship
One-on-one and group sessions with aviation experts and committee members (valid for 5 years).
State/National Winners
Networking Opportunities
Interaction with global aviation leaders, institutions, and policymakers during finale.
National Finale
Scholarships
Free College Education for Top 5 winners for aviation education programs through NAO partners.
National Level
Exposure Trips
Visits or virtual tours of airports, ATC towers, and aerospace manufacturing units.
State/National Finalists
Aviation Learning Kits
RC-Modelling aircrafts; aerodynamics kits.
State/National Finalists
Media Visibility
Features in aviation magazines, digital platforms, and official NAO channels.
State/National Winners
Skill Development
Analytical & STEM Skills – Enhances conceptual, reasoning, and application skills through multi-level testing.
All Phases
Community Engagement
Access to NAO Learning Network - Membership in the national aviation student community with continuous learning resources.
All Participants
Payment Methods
Online (UPI, net banking, cards)
Offline (bank transfer, DD)
Important Dates
All dates have been taken from the official guidebook. Plan ahead!
School Registration Opens
17 October
2026
Mock Tests Available
From 15 April
2026
Student Registration Deadline
31 July
2026
Phase 1 — North Zone
19 August
2026
Phase 1 — East Zone
20 August
2026
Phase 1 — West Zone
21 August
2026
Phase 1 — South Zone
22 August
2026
Phase 1 — UT Zone
23 August
2026
Phase 1 Results
15 September
2026
Phase 2 — State/UT Rounds
Third week of October
2026
Phase 3 — National Finale
7 December
2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the National Aviation Olympiad?
NAO is open to all students enrolled in Classes 8 through 12 in any recognized school across India. Students are grouped into Group 1 (Classes 8, 9, 10) and Group 2 (Classes 11, 12).
What is the registration fee and process?
Schools register on the NAO portal and enroll their students. Fees range from ₹50 to ₹250 depending on school type and gender, with 20% discount for girl students. Individual registration is available for special cases at ₹400–₹750.
How are the examination centres selected?
Schools registered as examination centres conduct Phase 1 at their own premises. Schools need a computer lab and stable internet connection. Offline mode via OMR sheet is available for schools without IT infrastructure.
What study materials are provided?
All registered students receive access to the NAO syllabus, sample question papers, practice tests, aviation glossary, and digital learning resources via the Resources (Link Page) section of the website.
Can a student register individually without school involvement?
Yes. Homeschooled students, NIOS students, international/embassy-nominated candidates, and students from non-participating schools can register individually. Individual registrations are ONLINE MODE ONLY.
What are the three phases of NAO?
Phase 1 is a school-level screening examination (August 2026). Phase 2 consists of state/UT rounds (October 2026). Phase 3 is the National Finals in New Delhi on 7 December 2026 with 145 finalists.
Which zone does my state fall under?
India is divided into 5 zones for NAO: North (HP, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, UP), East (Bihar, Jharkhand, WB, Odisha + all NE states), West (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, MP, Chhattisgarh), South (AP, Telangana, Karnataka, TN, Kerala), and UT Zone (all 8 Union Territories).
Support
Get in touch with our team for any queries regarding registration, examination process, or general information about the National Aviation Olympiad.