ISRO YUVIKA 2026 Program Overview
The Department of Space successfully conducted the YUVIKA (Young Scientist Programme) 2026 edition from May 11-22, 2026, across nine ISRO centers. The program engaged 456 meritorious students representing all 28 states and 8 union territories of India, marking an expansion from the previous edition which involved 350 students across 7 centers.
Program Implementation and Locations
The program was hosted at 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.
Educational Activities and Experiences
Participants received comprehensive exposure to space science, technology, and applications through experiential learning methods. The curriculum included interactive sessions with senior scientists and Gaganyaatris, technical lectures on space science and ISRO achievements, live viewing of RH200 rocket launches, and real-time interaction with India's Bharati Station team in Antarctica. Hands-on activities featured water rocket demonstrations, basic robotics programming using programmable robotic kits, Chandrayaan-3 DIY kit assembly, model rocket assembly and launch exercises, and sky gazing through telescopes.
Selection Criteria and Outreach
Student selection for the program is primarily merit-based, with a special provision of 15% weightage allocated to students from rural and remote areas to ensure broader geographical representation. Currently, there are no plans to establish institutional partnerships to further expand the program's reach.
Official Disclosure
This information was formally provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 29, 2026.