How do I start preparing for Nsep?

Use the book, HC Verma, if you are a student of the class 12 and below aiming for physics Olympiad. HC is also preferable for students of Class 11 to understand the topic of Class 12. A thorough study from NCERT books solutions can also be considered perfect for NSEP preparations.

Is INPhO tougher than Jee advanced?

They are tricky, and require a high level of conceptual understanding. If you compare the two tests as a whole, including the JEE advanced physics section, JEE is definitely harder. I’m not sure about the hardest problem, but IPhO 2017 seems to have one of the hardest set of problems.

How do I prepare for INPhO physics?

To prepare for INPhO, start with JEE Physics and archive of INPhO. Solve Russian Physics olympiad problems. You should study extra SR and statistical dynamics. It will be more than enough. For InPhO solve all the papers of InPhO from 1998-2018.

What are the best books to prepare for INPhO?

Problems in General Physics by Irodov, for initial practice and as warm-ups in preparation for the long INPhO Problems. Introduction to Classical Mechanics by Morin, for advanced insights into Mechanics and a taste of longer problems – The chapter on Lagrangian can obviously be skipped and the second Rotation one too.

How can I prepare for the experimental part of IPhO?

There is not much you can do to prepare for the experimental part of IPhO apart from what is being taught at HBCSE training camp (and that is quite enough). Regarding theoretical paper, since is the syllabus is more or less the same as IITJEE (apart from relativity), not too much knowledge is required.

Is INPhO a stepping stone to Physics Olympiad?

This reply is being written from an Indian perspective, focused around INPhO as the stepping stone. However, the points can be generalized with ease. India’s participation in Physics Olympiads has been quite old and the results at IPhO speak about how good the process is.