ISRO to Organise Young Scientist Programme- ‘YUVIKA’ for Schoolkids

The Indian space agency designed this initiative for schoolchildren in order to "catch them young" and encourage more students to pursue study or jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Each state or UT will be required to participate at least once. Registration for the student programme, which will run from May 15 to 26, will begin on March 20, and students who are eligible can apply through the ISRO site (www.isro.gov.in/YUVIKA.html).

The following parameters will be used to select participants in YUVIKA-2023: marks obtained in Class 8 or the most recent exam, performance in the online quiz, participation in science fairs, rank in Olympiad or equivalent exams, winners of sport competitions, scout and guide, and participation as an NCC and NSS member in the previous three years, and children studying in village or rural schools.

The programme is planned at seven ISRO centres: Thiruvananthapuram's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, which specialises in the production and development of rockets and rocket parts; Bengaluru's U R Rao Satellite Centre, where satellites are developed; Ahmedabad's Space Application Centre, which specialises in the development of payloads for satellites; Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre, from which rockets are launched; and Throughout the course, ISRO will cover students' travel fees, course materials, hotel, and boarding.

The YUVIKA programme was first announced by then-ISRO chief K Sivan on January 18, 2019, and was officially launched four months later on May 17, 2019.

Sivan stated during the program's start that "the programme was designed to instill and develop space research enthusiasm in young minds," and that students from rural backgrounds will be given preference in selection criteria.