Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 13th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The ICMR-National Institute of Virology hosted the second edition of ICMR-S.H.I.N.E. 2026 on August 11–12, 2026, to inspire students in Grades IX–XII toward careers in biomedical research. The event provided 755 students and 103 teachers with hands-on experience and direct interaction with scientists across campuses in Pune, Kerala, and Jammu. A key outcome was the announcement of a nationwide school competition tasking students with proposing innovative solutions to real-world public health challenges.
Key Points / Main Content
Event Overview and Participation
Scale: The outreach program brought together 755 students from Classes IX–XII and 103 teachers representing 50 schools across three states.
Locations: Activities were held at ICMR-NIV Pune (Dr. Ambedkar Road and Pashan campuses), the Kerala Field Unit in Alappuzha, and the North Zone unit in Jammu.
Strategic Alignment: The initiative follows the Prime Minister’s call for students to "spend one day as a scientist" to nurture a "Viksit Bharat."
Educational Activities
Interactive Sessions: The “Meet the Scientist” segment allowed students to engage in one-on-one conversations with researchers regarding viruses and health research.
Practical Exposure: Students participated in guided tours of virology laboratories, the Entomology Museum, and witnessed live demonstrations of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Resource Sharing: The program utilized scientific presentations, poster sessions, and videos highlighting ICMR’s contributions to national health research.
Program Objectives and Outreach
Rural Engagement: SHINE 2026 focused on strengthening outreach to rural schools, providing students with science experiences beyond the classroom.
Institutional Mandate: Director Dr. Naveen Kumar emphasized educating students on the diversity of viruses and the critical importance of virology research.
Career Inspiration: The initiative is designed to ignite curiosity and encourage young minds to consider long-term careers in the biomedical field.
Impact Analysis
Students (Grades IX–XII)Impact
Students gained rare access to high-level research facilities, experienced hands-on scientific demonstrations, and received direct mentorship from professional scientists.
Action Required
Students are invited to participate in the nationwide SHINE 2026 school competition by transforming their observations into research questions and proposing solutions for public health challenges.
ICMR-NIV and ScientistsImpact
The institution successfully bridged the gap between academic theory and practical research while expanding its outreach to rural demographics.
Action Required
Scientists must continue to facilitate "Open School Day" activities and provide mentorship to nurture the scientific spirit of "NextGen Explorers."
Schools and TeachersImpact
Teachers from 50 schools were provided with a platform to supplement classroom learning with practical, real-world scientific context.
Action Required
Educational representatives are expected to support their students in entering the SHINE 2026 competition and fostering interest in biomedical research careers.
Key Entities Referenced
ICMR-S.H.I.N.E. (Science and Health Innovation for the NextGen Explorers): An ICMR outreach initiative designed to inspire school students in Grades IX–XII toward careers in biomedical research through hands-on experience and interactions with scientists.
ICMR-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV): The primary research institute hosting the program, providing students with exposure to virology laboratories, the Entomology Museum, and public health research.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): India’s apex biomedical research organization and the parent body responsible for the nationwide implementation of the S.H.I.N.E. initiative.
Pune, Alappuzha, and Jammu: The specific geographic locations central to the program's applicability, hosting activities across ICMR-NIV campuses and regional field units.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
ICMR-NIV takes science beyond the classroom
through ICMR-S.H.I.N.E. 2026
प्रव तथ: 13 AUG 2026 5:53PM by PIB Mumbai
Pune : 13 August 2026
The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) hosted the second edition of ICMR-S.H.I.N.E.
(Science and Health Innovation for the NextGen Explorers), on August 11–12, 2026. This ICMR-NIV
outreach brought together 755 students from Classes IX–XII, accompanied by 103 teachers from 50
schools across three states.
S.H.I.N.E is an ICMR initiative to ignite curiosity and inspire school students in Grades IX–XII to
consider careers in biomedical research by bringing young minds into India’s leading research institutes
for hands-on experience and one-on-one interaction with scientists. Under S.H.I.N.E, Open School Day
activities were organised at both ICMR-NIV, Pune campuses at Dr. Ambedkar Road and Pashan, as well
as at the ICMR-NIV Kerala Field Unit in Alappuzha and ICMR-NIV North Zone, Jammu.Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General, ICMR, virtually
addressed the students and teachers, highlighting the clarion call of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi for all school students to “spend one day as a scientist” in a research institution.
Encouraging students to ask questions, Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director, ICMR NIV, spoke about the diversity
of viruses, mandates of the institute and the importance of virology research.
The “Meet the Scientist” session turned curiosity into conversations, as students engaged with ICMR-
NIV scientists and asked questions about science, viruses and health research. Through SHINE 2026,
ICMR-NIV strengthened its outreach to rural schools, offering students the opportunity to experience
science beyond their classrooms.
Students explored virology through scientific presentations, videos on ICMR’s contributions to health
research, poster sessions, guided tours of virology laboratories and the Entomology Museum, along with
live demonstrations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a question answer session with scientists.
A nationwide SHINE 2026 school competition was announced during the programme, inviting students to
transform their curiosity into research questions and propose innovative solutions to address real-world
public health challenges.
With SHINE 2026, ICMR-NIV continues to inspire NextGen Explorers to question, explore and
innovate, nurturing the scientific spirit that will shape a Viksit Bharat.About Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
ICMR is India’s apex biomedical research organization, with over a century of legacy in advancing
health. Through its 28 institutes across the country, ICMR conducts and facilitates research to prevent,
manage, and treat critical diseases. Its intramural and extramural programs foster a robust ecosystem for
health innovation. By generating evidence that shapes policy ICMR is committed to making healthcare
more equitable, affordable, and accessible - contributing to a safer and healthier India.
ICMR National Institute of Virology, Pune (ICMR-NIV) supports this mission through its focus on basic
virology, development of medical countermeasures and pandemic preparedness for viral diseases of
public health importance.
For more, visit https://www.icmr.gov.in/ and https://niv.icmr.gov.in/
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