Parliament Question: YUVIKA (Young Scientist Programme)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1748 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026 YUVIKA (YOUNG SCIENTIST PROGRAMME)

1748. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:

SHRI HARIBHAI PATEL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) the progress made under the YUVIKA (Young Scientist Programme) during 2026, including the number of students selected and ISRO centres participating;

(b) the major hands-on training modules, outreach activities and mentorship initiatives conducted under the programme;

(c) whether the Government proposes to further expand the programme through additional ISRO centres, institutional partnerships and increased student intake and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the measures taken by the Government to encourage participation of students from rural, remote and aspirational districts in the programme? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****(a) The YUVIKA 2026 programme was successfully conducted during May 11-22, 2026 at nine ISRO Centers, namely Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), North Eastern Space Applications Centre

(NESAC), ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) and Regional Remote Sensing Centre (RRSC) West. 456 meritorious students representing 28 states and 8 union territories participated in the programme.

(b) During the YUVIKA 2026 programme, the students got exposure to space science, technology, and applications through experiential learning and various activities such as interaction with senior scientists & Gaganyaatris, lectures on space science and ISRO achievements, witnessing of live RH200 rocket launch, live interaction with India's Bharati Station team at Antarctica, Water rocket demonstration and hands-on activities like working on basic robotics through programmable robotic kit, Chandrayaan-3 DIY kit assembly, Model rocket assembly & launch and sky gazing through telescope.

(c) The 2026 edition of YUVIKA enabled participation of 456 students at 9 ISRO centers as compared to 350 students at 7 ISRO centers in previous edition. At present, there are no plans for institutional partnerships to further expand the programme.

(d) The selection in the YUVIKA programme is based on merit.

However, special weightage of 15% is given for students belonging to rural and remote areas. ****