ZIO Exam 2026 - Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Result

The eligibility criteria for Zonal Informatics Olympiad state the rules and regulations to be followed by candidates. These are the minimum requirements which candidates should meet to be allowed for ZIO 2026:

• The candidate must be enrolled in a school in a class between Class 1 and Class 12.
• All schools and boards across India are accepted.
• There is no lower age limit for ZIO 2026 exam.

Also, check UCO

Application forms for ZIO 2026 will open in November 2025. Students can register individually by submitting an application form in online mode. Follow the given steps to fill out the ZIO 2026 application form:

• Step 1: Students will have to visit the online portal.
• Step 2: Click on the guidelines and read all the instructions carefully.
• Step 3: Click on the register now button and log in/sign up using the required credentials.
• Step 4: Now, click on the link named "Apply for ZIO".
• Step 5: It will lead to an application form. Fill in all the details appropriately and submit it.

The exam pattern for ZIO 2026 gives information on how the paper is set so that students can study accordingly. It is important for students to go through the ZIO 2026 exam pattern to prepare. 

• Students will get 5 marks for each part that they solve correctly.
• If all three parts of a question are solved correctly, then 20 marks will be awarded.

ZIO Exam Pattern 2026

Mock Tests and Sample Question Papers are advised by exam experts for their success in the Zonal Informatics Olympiad. Aspirants must practise sample papers and mock tests before appearing for ZIO 2026 to have an extra edge over the competition. 

Solving question papers also makes you aware of the exam pattern, syllabus, standard of questions etc. Some of the most important topics for ZIO 2026 are divided into 'Basic' and 'Advanced' categories:

Basic Topics :

• Introduction
• Efficiency
• Searching
• Sorting
• Basic Graph Algorithm
• Dynamic Programming
• Greedy Algorithms 
•  Computing Shortest Paths
• Heaps 
• Permutations
• Directed Acyclic Graphs
• Computing Prefix Sums
• Sliding Window Algorithm

Advanced Topics :

• Advanced Graph Algorithms
• Dynamic Programming on Trees
• Range Queries
• Network Flows
• Games and Strategies
• Geometry

Also, check

• CBSE class 10 sample paper 2026 
• CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers
• CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers 2026 
• CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Question Papers 

Apart from determination and hard work, studying smart is also needed. These are some tips and tricks which may be beneficial in your preparation for ZIO 2026:

• Study smart, not more: Studying smart is more important than studying more. Get a notebook and write down the complete syllabus. Sort out the topics into categories like 'Prepared, not Prepared, have to revise, etc.' This will give you an overview of the amount of time you need to give to a particular topic and help you study smart.
• Make a Study Plan: Making a study plan makes you more consistent towards your studies and allows you to give a set amount of time for everything you do. This is important as most of our time is spent doing idle things. Making a study plan diminishes the chance of wasting your precious time.
• Learn the syllabus: By heart. Being aware of the complete syllabus and the important topics is the first step in realizing the areas of strongholds and the chinks in the armour of your preparation. Read the syllabus completely and analyse it accordingly.
• Practice from sample papers and mock tests: Sample papers and mock tests are very important as they help you analyse yourself. After completing a topic, make it strong by giving a mock test or solving a sample paper.
• Understand the standard of questions and the Exam Pattern: Understanding the standard of questions enables you to prepare for the topics accordingly. Exam pattern and previous year question papers show us that a total of 4 questions will come in the ZIO 2026. These 4 questions are divided into 12 parts (3 parts or sub-questions for one main question). 

Also, check NSP Portal 2025

• ZIO admit card is released in the second week of December.
• IARCS releases the instructions to download the ZIO admit card 2026. 
• These instructions are sent to applicants through email/SMS. 
• Registered students should check their email/SMS to download their ZIO 2026 admit card.

Indian Association of Research in Computing Science (IARCS) will release the ZIO results in December 2025. Zonal Informatics Olympiad (ZIO) Result 2026 is declared online on the official website. Students can access the city-wise lists of selected students to check their results of the Zonal Informatics Olympiad 2026.

Selected students will move on to the Indian National Olympiad in Informatics, which will lead to the International Olympiad in Informatics Training Camp.

How to check ZIO Result 2026?

• Step 1: Visit the official website iarcs.org.in/inoi/
• Step 2: Click on the ZIO result 2026 link.
• Step 3: Check the state-wise list to know if the student has been selected for the next stage or not.
• Step 4: Download the result and keep it safe.

Also, check

• CBSE Result 12th class 2026   
• CBSE Result 10th class 2026 

ZIO Qualifying Cutoff