Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has notified the ‘Young Scientist Programme’, YUva VIgyani KAryakram (YUVIKA), a special programme for School Children to ‘Catch them young’.

The Programme aims to impart basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger students. It will focus on making youngsters, who are the future building blocks of the nation, aware of the emerging trends in space science and technology. The programme is also expected to encourage more students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research /career.

YUVIKA is a residential Programme and will be held from May 11-22, 2026.

The programme is planned at different centres of ISRO which include (i) Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun (ii) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram (iii) Satish Dhavan Space Center (SDSC) Sriharikota (iv) U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru (v) Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad (vi) National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad (vii) North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC), Shillong (viii) ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri and (ix) Regional Remote Sensing Centre (RRSC), Jodhpur. A minimum participation will be ensured from each State / UT.

Expenditure towards travel of selected student (II AC train fare or AC (including Volvo) bus fare by State Government or authorised transport from nearest Railway Station/Bus terminal to the reporting centre and back) will be reimbursed. The student needs to produce an original ticket of travel for reimbursement of travel fare from the respective ISRO centre. In case the student has not travelled by the II AC train (II AC class), the maximum reimbursement of fare will be limited to the II AC train fare only.

The course material, lodging and boarding, etc., during the entire course will be borne by ISRO.

Students studying in Class '9' as of January 01, 2026, within India are eligible to apply.

The selection of participants in YUVIKA-2026 will be carried out on the basis of following parameters with weightage (%) noted against each: (i) Marks obtained in Class 8 or last conducted exam - 50 (ii) Performance in the online quiz- 10 (iii) Participation in science fair/co-curricular activities (school/district/state & above level in last 3years) - 2/5/10 (iv) Prize in Olympiad or equivalent (1 to 3 rank in School / District / State & above level in last 3 years)- 2/4/5 (v) Winners of sport competitions (1 to 3 rank in School / District / State & above level in last 3 years)- 2/4/5 (vi) Scout and Guides / NCC / NSS Member in last 3 years- 5 (vii) Studying in Village / Rural School located in Panchayat area- 15.

The details of the Programme are available at https://jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/yuvika.

Registration can be done at this link from February 27, 2026, to March 31, 2026.

The first selection list will be announced on April 13, 2026.

The second confirmation list, due to a vacancy in the first list, will be released on April 20, 2026.

Website: https://jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/yuvika