How to Compete

About the Competition

NOI focuses on Competitive Programming, a format where participants are presented with clearly defined problems. Contestants must write programs that solve these problems efficiently. Submitted solutions are evaluated against test cases, with emphasis on algorithms and computational thinking rather than software development skills like UI/UX design or application development. Participants are expected to write simple programs that process inputs and produce outputs.

Eligibility

Sri Lankans who are not older than 20 yrs by July 1, 2025, and enrolled in a primary or secondary school (government / private) as a student are eligible for NOI.

Competition Structure

Program Structure

National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI)

National Olympiad in Informatics is a two-day on-site competition totaling 10 hours. Contestants are evaluated on challenging problem-solving tasks using C++. The top four performers with non-zero scores are selected to represent Sri Lanka at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) 2025, Bolivia.

To participate in NOI, individuals must fulfill the eligibility criteria above AND also fulfill one of the qualification paths below.

Qualifying for National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI)

There are 5 paths through which an eligible (see eligibility criteria above) individual can become qualified to participate in National Olympiad in Informatics 2025.
Meeting the qualification criteria of at least one of the following paths will qualify you for the National Olympiad in Informatics.
It is recommended that you do the NOI Online Qualifier unless you are already qualified through one of the other paths.

  • NOI Online Qualifier

    This is an online competitive programming contest held in April 2025.
    Top 8 performers in NOI Online Qualifier round (excluding contestants already qualified through another path), with a non-zero score are qualified for NOI through this path.
    All candidates registered through the website will receive notification via email on the dates and the instructions to participate in the NOI Online Qualifier.

  • Codeforces Weekly Contests

    Individuals rated above 1400 following at least 2 rated Codeforeces contests between Jan 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 are qualified for NOI through this path.

  • National Schools Software Competition (NSSC)

    Top 6 performers with a non-zero score in the most recent NSSC held prior to the National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI) are qualified for NOI through this path.

  • Young Computer Scientist (YCS) Competition

    Individuals who rank among the top 3 in the respective age categories, in the most recent YCS competition held prior to the NOI are qualified for NOI through this path.

  • International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)

    Individuals who competed at the most recent IMO prior to NOI, representing Sri Lanka are qualified for NOI through this path.

International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)

The top four performers with non-zero scores are selected to represent Sri Lanka at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) 2025, Bolivia. IOI is an internationally renowned event that brings together the best young computer scientists from across the globe.

Eligible Languages

C++

International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) only allows C++ as the programming language. Therefore, National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI) also allows C++ as the programming language.

Students are encouraged to start with any language they are comfortable with and gradually transition to C++ with guidance from the NOI community.

Four contestants will be selected based on their performance at the main competition to represent Sri Lanka at the International Olympiad in Informatics 2025 program, hosted by Bolivia.