International Social Studies Olympiad 
“Every Generation writes it’s own history”
- John Bowman
Edition
12th
Class 1 to 10
About iSSO
International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO)
The International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO) is a premier platform for students. It helps them demonstrate knowledge of key social studies concepts. The International Social Studies Olympiad goes beyond rote memorisation; it challenges students with analytical and critical thinking skills.
Key Benefits for Students
- Open to students in Classes 1 to 10 from CBSE, ICSE, ICBSE, or any recognised state board in India.
- Ignites genuine interest in social studies Olympiad topics.
- Covers current affairs, global issues, and world history.
- Explores diverse cultures and perspectives.
- Builds a holistic understanding of our interconnected world.
- Sharpens cognitive skills and analytical abilities.
- Broadens cultural horizons.
- Boosts personal growth and confidence.
Key Features of the Exam Structure
- Each class will receive a separate and class-specific question paper to ensure appropriate difficulty levels.
- All questions are objective-type (Multiple Choice Questions).
- There is no negative marking, encouraging students to attempt all questions confidently.
- The International Social Studies Olympiad is conducted only in English to maintain a standardised assessment format and ensure clarity in technical terminology used across all classes.
The Olympiad is held once a year and is conducted during school hours to ensure student convenience and maximum participation. Each participating school can select one of the three proposed dates for conducting the Olympiad. All dates will have separate sets of question papers, ensuring exam integrity and flexibility in scheduling.
Test Paper Structure
The language medium is English only. The examination is being conducted for all classes from 1st to 10th with the following details:
The details of the manner in which the test is to be conducted will be sent with the question papers. For classes 1st onward, OMR answer sheets will be provided.
Important Note For Schools
The details of the manner in which the test is to be conducted will be sent with the question papers. For classes 1st onward, OMR answer sheets will be provided.
Registration Of Students
The International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO) prospectus, along with registration forms, is sent to all schools currently registered with the SilverZone Foundation. Please note that the printed prospectus may not reflect the most recent updates. The latest information on syllabus, exam format, levels, and prizes is always available on our official website. We recommend referring to it for accuracy.
For New Schools
Schools not yet registered with SilverZone may request a prospectus by writing to us at info@silverzone.org. Once received, schools must return the completed registration forms by the specified deadline.
About
International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO)
The International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO) is a premier platform for students. It helps them demonstrate knowledge of key social studies concepts. The International Social Studies Olympiad goes beyond rote memorisation; it challenges students with analytical and critical thinking skills.
Key Benefits for Students
- Open to students in Classes 1 to 10 from CBSE, ICSE, ICBSE, or any recognised state board in India.
- Ignites genuine interest in social studies Olympiad topics.
- Covers current affairs, global issues, and world history.
- Explores diverse cultures and perspectives.
- Builds a holistic understanding of our interconnected world.
- Sharpens cognitive skills and analytical abilities.
- Broadens cultural horizons.
- Boosts personal growth and confidence.
Joining iSSO fosters curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the global community.
Key Features of the Exam Structure
- Each class will receive a separate and class-specific question paper to ensure appropriate difficulty levels.
- All questions are objective-type (Multiple Choice Questions).
- There is no negative marking, encouraging students to attempt all questions confidently.
- The International Social Studies Olympiad is conducted only in English to maintain a standardised assessment format and ensure clarity in technical terminology used across all classes.
The Olympiad is held once a year and is conducted during school hours to ensure student convenience and maximum participation. Each participating school can select one of the three proposed dates for conducting the Olympiad. All dates will have separate sets of question papers, ensuring exam integrity and flexibility in scheduling.
Test Paper Structure
The language medium is English only. The examination is being conducted for all classes from 1st to 10th with the following details:
- For Classes 1-2: There will be 25 questions, and the duration will be 40 Minutes
- For Classes 3-5: There will be 30 questions, and the duration will be 40 Minutes.
- For Classes 6-8: There will be 35 questions, and the duration will be 40 Minutes.
- For Classes 9-10: There will be 40 questions, and the duration will be 50 Minutes.
The details of the manner in which the test is to be conducted will be sent with the question papers. For classes 1st onward, OMR answer sheets will be provided.
Registration Of Students
The International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO) prospectus, along with registration forms, is sent to all schools currently registered with the SilverZone Foundation. Please note that the printed prospectus may not reflect the most recent updates. The latest information on syllabus, exam format, levels, and prizes is always available on our official website. We recommend referring to it for accuracy.
For New Schools
Schools not yet registered with SilverZone may request a prospectus by writing to us at info@silverzone.org. Once received, schools must return the completed registration forms by the specified deadline.
Important Note For Schools
- Any school can become a registered centre for the International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO). There is no fee required to register the school itself.
- For smooth coordination and exam feasibility, a minimum of 40 students per school is required to register for the International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO).
- For any clarification regarding exam rules, syllabus, paper pattern, or registration process, schools may write to us directly at info@silverzone.org
The details of the manner in which the test is to be conducted will be sent with the question papers. For classes 1st onward, OMR answer sheets will be provided.
Quick Challenge
Five questions. Sixty seconds. No negative marking.
A warm-up in the Olympiad style: objective social studies questions with one correct answer each, answered against the clock.
- Just like the real paper, every question is multiple choice with no negative marking, so attempt them all.
- You get an explanation after each answer.
- Finished? Download the sample paper for your class and try the real format.
Ready for a warm-up?
Five short questions on maps, oceans, local government, economic life and the Constitution.
Original practice questions written for this page to show the objective format—not from an official iSSO paper. The 60-second timer and scoring apply to this warm-up only.
Complete Syllabus
ISSO syllabus for Class 1 to 10
Every class has its own International Social Studies Olympiad syllabus. Select a class to explore all topics and chapters in one clear view.
Topics and chapters
Class 1All About Me
5 chapters- Body Parts
- Family
- Safety Rules
- Good Habits and Manner
- Good Touch and Bad Touch
My Needs
1 chapter- Food, Clothes and Shelter
My Community
2 chapters- School and Neighbourhood
- People Who Help Us
Our Country
2 chapters- National Symbols
- Festivals and celebrations
Our Surroundings
3 chapters- Air and Water
- Environment
- Plants and Animals
Settled Life
1 chapter- Transport and Communication
Earth and Sky
3 chapters- Sun and Moon
- Seasons
- Weather
Scholar’s Zone
1 chapter- Scholar’s Zone
The syllabus is arranged class-wise so students can quickly find the history, geography, governance, heritage, environment, and economics topics covered in their International Social Studies Olympiad paper.
How the ISSO score is calculated
The raw score is computed by multiplying each correct answer by its corresponding base marks and summing the results.
Total marks are determined by adding the raw score to the sum of the weightage of correct answers. Each question carries an additional weightage, starting from .0001 and increasing incrementally (.0002, .0003, and so forth). Question 1 has a weightage of .0001, question 2 has .0002, and so on.
This weightage is utilised to resolve ties when calculating class, zonal and Olympiad ranks.
Try the tie-breaker
Tap questions to mark them correct and watch the weightage separate two equal raw scores.
Example Social Studies paper: 10 questions at 3 marks each.
6 of 10 correct. Two students with 18 raw marks are separated by which questions they answered correctly.
Class rank
This encompasses all students from various sections and divisions of the same class within the same school.
Olympiad rank
This encompasses all students from India and abroad belonging to the same class.
One award per exam
Each winner is entitled to one award per exam, receiving the higher-level award only. For example, international top three rank holders will receive awards based on their international ranks, and any awards based on their zonal ranks will be passed to the next rank holder. Similarly, if a zonal award winner also qualifies for a class award, the class award will be given to the next rank holder.
Sample Papers
Sample Question Papers
Explore the comprehensive syllabus and sample test papers conveniently available on our website. Click the links below to access the syllabus and sample test papers tailored for each class. For book purchases, kindly reach out to your School Coordinator or proceed to book your order online today.
Prizes, dates and venue
What you can win
Drag along the ranks and watch the award change.
Cash prizes of ₹10,000, ₹7,500 and ₹5,000 for the top three International Olympiad rank holders in every class; gift certificates of varying values for ranks 4 to 25; Topper Achievement Certificates up to rank 500; Medals of Excellence for Zonal, State and Class toppers; and a participation certificate for every student who sits the paper.
Where did you rank?
Drag the medal, tap a rank, or use the arrow keys. Every award shown here is the one published for that rank.
Also receives
- Participation certificate with all your ranks
- Medal of Excellence if you also top your class, zone or state
The 1st International Olympiad rank holder in each class receives a prize of ₹10,000/-.
Three more ways to win a medal
Hover or tap a card to read the rule.
One award per exam — each winner receives the higher-level award.
Every participant takes something home
All participants are awarded Participation Certificates reflecting their Class, Zonal, State and Olympiad ranks and their marks — so every student sees exactly where they stand.
Certificates reach students through their school along with the results.
What if students tie on the same rank?
Drag the slider to see how a shared rank is settled at the rank you picked above.
- Awarded in full, with the participation certificate.
The rules behind the awards
How ties and overlapping awards are settled.
The award amount is divided equally among the winners, and each recipient is honoured with a Symbolic Golden Medal of Excellence in the relevant category along with a certificate.
Instead of a shared award, each winner receives a gift certificate coupon, along with a Medal of Excellence in the relevant category and a Special Achievement Certificate.
Each winner receives the higher-level award only. Any award based on a Zonal rank passes to the next rank holder, and if a Zonal award winner also qualifies for a class award, the class award goes to the next rank holder.
At school level the top three rank holders in each class receive Medals of Excellence, provided the topper obtains at least 50% marks.
Zones
Zone and state categorisation
To streamline operations, all states and Union Territories in India, along with participating international countries, are organised into five zones.
North Zone
States and Union Territories in this zone.
- Delhi NCR
- Haryana
- Punjab
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- J&K
- Ladakh
- Chandigarh
- Rajasthan
- Uttar Pradesh
This categorisation serves the following purpose: determining zone toppers for performance-based awards.
All zones at a glance (text version)
| Zone | States, Union Territories and countries |
|---|---|
| North Zone | Delhi NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K, Ladakh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh |
| East Zone | West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Chhattisgarh |
| South Zone | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar |
| West Zone | Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh |
| International Zone | Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Ghana, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom, United States of America (USA) |
Tap a bubble to try it — darken one bubble per question
Answer Sheet
Sample OMR answer sheet
Unlock the perfect answer sheet: click below for your free PDF download.
See exactly how the OMR sheet looks before exam day, so filling it in feels familiar. Try the bubbles on the sample sheet — then download the real one.
Sample answer sheet (PDF)- Positive reviews
- Professional instructors
- 2.1 million+ happy students
Study Material
Recommendation & Books
PREVIOUS YEAR PAPERS
COMPREHENSIVE BOOK
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PAPERS
FAQ
Social Studies Olympiad FAQs
Quick answers about eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, scoring, prizes and registration.
What is the International Social Studies Olympiad (iSSO)?
iSSO is SilverZone Foundation’s annual Social Studies Olympiad for students of Classes 1 to 10. It goes beyond memorising facts, using analytical and critical-thinking questions on history, geography, governance, heritage, environment and economics.
Who can take part in iSSO?
Students of Classes 1 to 10 from CBSE, ICSE, ICBSE or any recognised state board can take part through their school. Any school can become a registered iSSO centre free of charge; a minimum of 40 students per school must register.
What is the iSSO exam pattern?
Each class sits its own objective (multiple-choice) paper in English, answered on an OMR sheet. Classes 1–2 answer 25 questions in 40 minutes, Classes 3–5 answer 30 questions in 40 minutes, Classes 6–8 answer 35 questions in 40 minutes and Classes 9–10 answer 40 questions in 50 minutes. There is no negative marking. The Olympiad is held once a year during school hours, and each school chooses one of three proposed dates, each with its own set of papers.
What does the iSSO syllabus cover?
Every class has its own syllabus and a Scholar’s Zone. Younger classes cover topics such as family, community, national symbols and our surroundings. From Class 6, the syllabus follows five themes: India and the World: Land and the People; Tapestry of the Past; Our Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Traditions; Governance and Democracy; and Economic Life Around Us.
How are iSSO scores and ranks worked out?
The raw score is the total of the base marks for every correct answer. A tiny weightage (.0001 for question 1, .0002 for question 2 and so on) is added for each correct answer and is used only to break ties. Every participant receives a certificate showing their class, zonal, state and Olympiad ranks along with their marks.
What prizes does the Social Studies Olympiad offer?
In every class, the top three International Olympiad rank holders receive ₹10,000, ₹7,500 and ₹5,000. Ranks 4 to 25 receive gift certificates, ranks up to 500 receive Topper Achievement Certificates, and zonal, state and class toppers receive Medals of Excellence (class toppers must score at least 50%). Each winner receives one award per exam — the higher-level one.
How does a school register for iSSO?
Registration is through schools. SilverZone sends the iSSO prospectus and registration forms to every school registered with the Foundation. Schools not yet registered can request a prospectus by writing to info@silverzone.org and must return the completed forms by the stated deadline.
Where can I find iSSO sample papers and books?
Class-wise syllabuses, sample question papers and a sample OMR answer sheet are available on the Social Studies Olympiad page. Previous Year Papers, the Comprehensive Book and instant-download papers can be ordered online or through your school coordinator.