Young Scientist Program launched by ISRO

The “Young Scientist Programme” or “YUva VIgyani KAryakram” (युविका), has been launched by Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) from this year. It is a special programme for School Children

The Program primarily focuses on imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities.

 ISRO has marked out this programme to “Catch them young”. It will be a 3 week residential training programme during summer holidays and it is proposed to select 3 students each from each State/ Union Territory to participate in this programme every year covering CBSE, ICSE and State Board syllabus. 8th standard passouts, who are studying in 9^th grade will be eligible for the programme.

Chief Secretaries of the respective States/ Administrators of Union Territories in India have been approached by ISRO to arrange for the selection of three students from each of their State/UT and communicate the list to ISRO.

The eligible candidates are shortlisted based on their academic performance and extracurricular activities, which is clearly mentioned in the selection criteria already circulated to Chief Secretaries of States/ Administrators of UTs. Students from the rural area have been given special weightage in the selection criteria.

The list of the selected candidates from each state is expected to be out by end 31^st March 2019.