Parliament Question: NESAC

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1614 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2025 NESAC

1614. SMT. BIJULI KALITA MEDHI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether there are any specific initiatives discussed during the 12th meeting of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre

(NESAC) for the enhancement of space applications in the region;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there are any focus on expanding space-based education and research opportunities for the youth in the North Eastern States;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the manner in which the Government plan to ensure adequate funding and support for NESAC’s projects? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****(a) & (b) During the 12th Meeting of North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) Society, held on 21st December, 2024 at Agartala, under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Home Minister, following initiatives were discussed for enhancement of space applications in the region other than specific

application projects: i. ISRO/DOS would facilitate the visit of 800 young and talented science stream students (100 from each North Eastern (NE) State) to ISRO Centres with the support of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

(MDoNER) and respective state governments.

As part of this, 200 students from all NE states visited ISRO facilities in two batches and interacted with Scientists in Bengaluru during April and June 2025. 100 students’ visit is scheduled in July 2025 and remaining 500 students will be visiting during August – December,

2025. ii. NESAC Society would take necessary initiatives towards utilization of space applications by at least 25 departments from each of the 8 States. iii. More space application projects would be taken up in natural resource management areas like Agriculture, Forestry, Water Resources, Geology, and Urban development sector.

(c) & (d)NESAC is offering (i) Internship and (ii) Student Project Trainee opportunity for the youth of NE States to enhance knowledge in space-based research. Annually more than 15 students from different parts of the North East Region are carrying out internship and project training as part of their B.Tech. / M.Tech./ MSc program.

A number of regular training courses are being organized on a continuous basis by NESAC on Basics of Remote Sensing, UAV Remote Sensing and the use of geospatial technology on Agriculture, Forestry, Geosciences, GeoWeb applications, Space and Atmospheric sciences and Satellite communication etc., benefiting the students, researchers and professionals in the region.

Every year more than 300 participants from State/ Central government departments representing NE region, State Disaster Management Authority, CAPF/IB, Assam Survey & Settlement Training Centre and various academic institutions participate in the regular and tailor-made space technology/ application training courses conducted at NESAC.

(e) NESAC is receiving fund for executing projects mainly from DoS, NEC (MDoNER) and State Governments as per requirements. ****