Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 12th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) organized "ICMR-SHINE 2026" on August 11 and 12, 2026, at ICMR-NIRBID, Mumbai, to connect school students with the biomedical research ecosystem. The two-day outreach initiative provided 193 students from Classes IX to XII with firsthand exposure to laboratory practices, scientific innovation, and career pathways in medical sciences. A key highlight of the event was the announcement of a national-level competition titled “Igniting Scientific Curiosity Among Youth for a Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Key Points / Main Content
Program Objectives and Participation
Purpose: To inspire scientific curiosity and provide a deeper understanding of health and medical sciences through practical application.
Participants: 193 students (89 boys and 104 girls) from PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Colaba, and R.M. Bhatt High School, Parel.
Focus Area: Research on blood and immune disorders, specifically focusing on faster and cost-efficient diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for rare conditions.
Educational Methods and Activities
Interactive Learning: The program utilized hands-on exposure to laboratory equipment, infotainment-based games, AI-enabled videos, and activity-based learning.
Direct Engagement: Students interacted with scientists, technical staff, and PhD scholars to learn about research methodologies and the daily life of a researcher.
Practical Application: Participants observed how scientific research contributes to addressing real-world health challenges, bridging the gap between classroom theory and contemporary practice.
Career and Future Outlook
Career Exposure: Students were introduced to diverse fields including biotechnology, microbiology, epidemiology, data science, bioinformatics, and laboratory sciences.
National Initiative: The event served as a platform for the announcement of the “Igniting Scientific Curiosity Among Youth for a Viksit Bharat 2047” national competition.
Institutional Commitment: ICMR-NIRBID reaffirmed its role in nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders and innovators.
Impact Analysis
School Students (Classes IX to XII)Impact
Students gained firsthand experience in biomedical research, learned about sophisticated laboratory equipment, and discovered diverse career opportunities in healthcare and science.
Action Required
Students should apply the practical insights gained to their academic studies and prepare for the newly announced national-level science competition.
ICMR-NIRBID and Scientific StaffImpact
The institute and its staff successfully bridged the gap between academic education and professional research, reaffirming their commitment to public outreach and nurturing future talent.
Action Required
Scientists and staff must continue to facilitate such outreach programs and manage the upcoming national-level competition for youth.
Participating Schools (PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 and R.M. Bhatt High School)Impact
The schools were able to provide their students with immersive learning opportunities beyond the conventional classroom setting, enhancing their science curriculum.
Action Required
School administrators and teachers should encourage students to pursue the scientific interests sparked by the visit and facilitate their participation in future ICMR initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
ICMR-SHINE 2026: A national science outreach initiative designed to inspire school students (Classes IX to XII) through firsthand exposure to biomedical research, innovation, and health sciences.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): The primary organizing body responsible for the outreach program, focused on connecting students with the national biomedical research ecosystem.
ICMR-National Institute for Research on Blood and Immune Disorders (ICMR-NIRBID): The host institution in Mumbai that provided students with laboratory exposure and insights into research on hematological and immunological disorders.
Igniting Scientific Curiosity Among Youth for a Viksit Bharat 2047: A national-level competition announced during the program to promote scientific curiosity and engagement among young students.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
ICMR-SHINE 2026: Inspiring School Students
through Science, Health and Innovation
National Science Outreach Initiative organized at ICMR-
NIRBID, Mumbai, on 11 and 12 August
प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 7:31PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 12 August 2026
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) organized ICMR-SHINE 2026 (Science & Health
Innovation for the Nextgen Explorers) on 11th and 12th August 2026 at ICMR- National Institute
for Research on Blood and Immune Disorders (ICMR-NIRBID), Mumbai. The programme was
aimed at connecting school students with the country’s biomedical research ecosystem and
inspiring scientific curiosity, innovation and a deeper understanding of health and medical
sciences.
The two-day programme provided students of Classes IXth to XIIth with an opportunity to
experience biomedical research beyond the classroom and understand how scientific research
contributes to addressing real-world health challenges.
A total of 193 students, comprising 89 boys and 104 girls, participated in the programme
over the two days. On 11 August 2026, 50 students from PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya No.
1, Colaba, and 57 students from R.M. Bhatt High School, Parel, visited the Institute. On
12th August 2026, another 83 students from R.M. Bhatt High School, Parel, participated in
the programme.
Unlike a conventional classroom lecture, SHINE 2026 encouraged students to observe, ask
questions, participate in activities and understand the practical application of scientific concepts.
School students in Mumbai received firsthand experience of how scientists work
in the field of blood and immune disorders; under #SHINE2026 at the @icmr_nirbi
d.
This was followed by lab visits and interactions with scientists, technical staff &
PhD scholars.
During these… pic.twitter.com/x3yeLGPips
— PIB in Maharashtra 🇮🇳 (@PIBMumbai) August 12, 2026During their visit, students received a first-hand introduction to how biomedical research is
conducted, how sophisticated laboratory equipment is used and how research
processes contribute to the development of faster, effective and cost-efficient
diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, particularly for rare haematological and
immunological disorders.
An important feature of the programme was the opportunity for students to interact directly
with the Institute’s scientists, technical staff and PhD students. These interactions enabled
students to gain deeper insights into laboratory practices, scientific concepts, research
methodologies and the day-to-day life of researchers. Students were encouraged to ask
questions about scientific research, higher education, career opportunities and the challenges
and rewards associated with a career in biomedical sciences.
The programme incorporated several new elements, including interactions with scientists and
technical staff, discussions with PhD students, hands-on exposure to equipment and laboratory
procedures, infotainment-based games, AI-enabled videos, and activity-based learning.
The students were exposed to diverse career pathways including research, biotechnology,
microbiology, haematology, immunology, public health, epidemiology, data science,
bioinformatics and laboratory sciences.
School students from Mumbai visited @icmr_nirbid for an immersive experience
in research on blood and immune disorders as part of #SHINE2026.
Here’s what one student had to say ⬇#SHINEAtICMR #ICMR pic.twitter.com/G8
9YNBNIUW
— PIB in Maharashtra 🇮🇳 (@PIBMumbai) August 12, 2026
During the programme, the announcement of the national-level competition on “Igniting
Scientific Curiosity Among Youth for a Viksit Bharat 2047” was also presented.
The programme also reinforced the importance of exposing young students to actual scientific
environments at an early stage. By witnessing laboratory processes and interacting with
practising scientists, students were able to connect their classroom learning with real-world
applications and gain a better understanding of how science contributes to diagnosis, treatment
and the advancement of healthcare.
ICMR-SHINE 2026 at ICMR-NIRBID thus served as a meaningful platform for bridging the
gap between classroom education and contemporary biomedical research. Through this
initiative, ICMR-NIRBID reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the next generation of
researchers, innovators and scientific leaders.* * *
PIB Mumbai | Nitin Fulluke/Darshana Rane
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