**Executive Summary**
On April 2, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh briefed the Rajya Sabha on the progress and expansion of the Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA) and other space orientation initiatives. Launched in 2019, YUVIKA provides Class 9 students with hands-on training at ISRO centers to nurture scientific temper and prepare a future workforce for India's growing $9 billion space economy. Key developments include the addition of two new training centers and a continued emphasis on inclusive representation for rural and underprivileged students.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**YUVIKA Program Overview**
* **Target Audience:** Specifically designed for Class 9 students to expose them to space science and technology at an early stage ("catch them young").
* **Format:** A one-month residential programme held during summer vacations.
* **Core Activities:** Selected students undergo hands-on training at premier ISRO centres, interact with scientists, and gain exposure to cutting-edge technology.
* **Participation Trends:** To date, 1,320 students have benefited across five editions, with recent annual intake reaching approximately 350 students.
**Selection and Inclusivity**
* **Regional Representation:** The program selects 10 students from each State and 8 from each Union Territory annually to ensure balanced national participation.
* **Rural Priority:** Selection criteria include a 15% preference for students from Panchayat-level schools and special weightage for rural applicants.
* **Holistic Evaluation:** The comprehensive selection process considers quiz performance, participation in science fairs, Olympiads, and extracurricular activities such as NSS and Scouts.
* **Institutional Reach:** The programme covers students from both Central and State Boards, including government schools.
**Infrastructure and Expansion**
* **Current Centers:** The programme is active at seven major locations, including Sriharikota (Satish Dhawan Space Centre), Thiruvananthapuram (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre), and Ahmedabad (Space Applications Centre).
* **Capacity Building:** Two additional centres are being established at Mahendra Giri (Tamil Nadu) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) to further expand the program's capacity.
**Broader Ecosystem and Economic Vision**
* **Gender Inclusivity:** Complementary initiatives like "Vigyan Jyoti" encourage girls from Class 9 to 12 to pursue STEM careers, supported by various women-centric fellowship programmes.
* **Space Sector Growth:** India’s space economy has reached nearly $9 billion, with projections to reach $44 billion by 2033.
* **Strategic Goal:** These educational initiatives align with India’s vision to become a global leader in space technology and innovation by 2047.
**Impact Analysis**
**Class 9 Students (Particularly Rural and Underprivileged)**
**Impact**
Students receive elite exposure to space science and direct mentorship from ISRO scientists, which was previously inaccessible. The 15% weightage for Panchayat-level schools ensures that students from rural backgrounds have a competitive advantage in the selection process.
**Action Required**
Interested students must engage in qualifying activities, including nationwide quiz competitions, science fairs, Olympiads, and extracurricular programs like Scouts or NSS to strengthen their applications.
**ISRO / Department of Space**
**Impact**
The department is tasked with scaling the educational ecosystem and managing the transition from seven to nine training centers. It serves as the primary facilitator for building the national pipeline of future scientists.
**Action Required**
The Department must oversee the operationalization of the new centers in Mahendra Giri and Jodhpur and continue coordinating the residential summer programmes.
**Government and State-Board Schools**
**Impact**
These institutions are recognized as vital nodes for identifying talent. The focus on inclusivity brings national-level opportunities to students within local district and state school systems.
**Action Required**
School administrators and educators should facilitate student participation in district and state-level academic engagements and science fairs to ensure their students remain eligible for YUVIKA selection.
Key Entities Referenced
Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA): A space orientation programme launched in 2019 targeting Class 9 students to provide hands-on training and exposure to space science.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): The agency responsible for conducting the one-month residential training and providing access to premier space centers for the YUVIKA programme.
Department of Space: The primary government department overseeing the briefing and implementation of space education ecosystems in India.
Vigyan Jyoti: A complementary initiative mentioned in the briefing aimed at encouraging girls from Class 9 to 12 to pursue STEM careers.
Department of Space
Rajya Sabha briefed about Space orientation
programmes introduced for school students
Government Expanding Inclusive Space Education
Ecosystem; YUVIKA Empowering Young Minds Across India:
Dr. Jitendra Singh
Rural Students Get Priority in Space Education Initiative
YUVIKA, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha
Hands-on ISRO Training Inspiring Next Generation of Space
Scientists, says Dr. Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 4:50PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today highlighted
that the Government is systematically nurturing scientific temper among school students through inclusive
and future-oriented initiatives like Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA), ensuring equitable access for
rural, underprivileged, and aspiring young minds across the country.
Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, in response to a starred question
raised by Shri Ryaga Krishnaiah, along with supplementary questions by Shri Neeraj Dangi, Dr. Parmar
Jashvantsinh Salamsinh, and Rajathi, the Minister elaborated on the design, reach, and impact of the
YUVIKA programme.
Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that YUVIKA, launched in 2019, is a unique initiative aimed at “catching
them young” by targeting students of Class 9 and exposing them to space science and technology at an
early stage. He noted that the programme has been structured to ensure democratic and equitable
participation, with 10 students selected from each State and 8 from each Union Territory annually, thereby
maintaining balanced regional representation.
Emphasizing inclusivity, the Minister stated that the selection criteria already incorporate special
weightage for rural students, including 15% preference for students from Panchayat-level schools. He
added that the selection process is comprehensive, considering quiz performance, participation in science
fairs, Olympiads, and extracurricular activities such as NSS and Scouts, ensuring a holistic evaluation of
students.
Providing details of participation, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that 1,320 students have benefited from the
programme so far, across five editions. The programme could not be conducted in 2020 and 2021 due to
the COVID-19 pandemic. However, participation has been steadily increasing, with around 350 students
selected annually in recent years, indicating growing outreach and impact.The Minister further stated that YUVIKA is conducted as a one-month residential programme during
summer vacations, where selected students undergo hands-on training at premier ISRO centres, interact
with scientists, and gain exposure to cutting-edge space technologies. Currently, the programme is
conducted at seven major centres, including Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota), Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre (Thiruvananthapuram), and Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad), among others. Two
additional centres at Mahendra Giri (Tamil Nadu) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) are being added to further
expand capacity.
Addressing concerns regarding outreach and awareness, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Dr.
Jitendra Singh reiterated that the programme is inherently inclusive, covering students from both Central
and State Boards, including government schools. He emphasized that awareness and participation are
facilitated through nationwide quiz competitions, science fairs, and academic engagements at district and
state levels.
Highlighting the broader ecosystem being developed for nurturing scientific talent, the Minister also
referred to complementary initiatives such as Vigyan Jyoti, aimed at encouraging girls from Class 9 to 12
to pursue STEM careers, and other fellowship programmes supporting women at different career stages.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also underlined the rapid growth of India’s space sector, noting that it has expanded
from a modest base to a nearly $9 billion economy, with projections reaching $44 billion by 2033. He
added that over 90% of foreign satellite launches by India have taken place in the last decade, reflecting
the transformative reforms undertaken in the sector.
The Minister concluded by stating that initiatives like YUVIKA are not only building a strong pipeline of
future scientists but are also contributing to India’s long-term vision of becoming a global leader in space
technology and innovation by 2047.*****
NKR/AK
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