ISRO YUVIKA (Yuva Vignani Karyakrama) - Young Scientist Programme for Class 9 Students
by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
Fully Sponsored ISRO Program
ISRO YUVIKA (Yuva Vignani Karyakrama) - Young Scientist Programme for Class 9 Students is a program by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) for students in Class 9, open to students across India. It is free to take part.
Mode
In-Person
Eligibility
Class 9
Fee
Free
Duration
Two weeks (typically May 19-30)
Format
Individual
Time needed
Full-time residential program for two weeks during summer vacation. Participants are expected to be fully engaged in all scheduled activities from morning to evening.
About This Opportunity
The YUva VIgyani KAryakram (YUVIKA), or Young Scientist Programme, is a flagship annual initiative by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) designed to ignite scientific curiosity and impart foundational knowledge in space technology, science, and applications among young students. Launched in 2019, this prestigious program provides a unique opportunity for selected students to spend two weeks during their summer vacation at various state-of-the-art ISRO/Department of Space (DoS) centers across India, including VSSC (Thiruvananthapuram), URSC (Bengaluru), SAC (Ahmedabad), NESAC (Shillong), IIRS (Dehradun), NRSC (Hyderabad), and SDSC-SHAR (Sriharikota).
The program's core objective is to "Catch them young" and encourage more students to pursue rewarding careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, contributing to India's growing space sector.
The comprehensive curriculum includes engaging invited talks by eminent ISRO scientists and engineers, interactive experience-sharing sessions, live experimental demonstrations, insightful facility and lab visits (such as clean rooms, launch pads, and mission control centers), exclusive discussion sessions with experts, and practical, hands-on activities. These activities range from model rocketry and sky gazing to robotic coding/experiments, CANSAT experiments, DIY kit assembly, and drone demonstrations.
YUVIKA is meticulously designed to provide a holistic and engaging understanding of space exploration, satellite technology, rocket science, and India's significant space missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. The program is entirely free of cost, with ISRO covering all expenses, including training materials, comfortable lodging, nutritious boarding, and travel.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 9
- Age Range
- 13 - 15 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Students must be currently studying in Class 9 as of January 1st of the program year. Selection is primarily based on academic performance in Class 8 (50% weightage), performance in an online quiz (10% weightage), and participation in extracurricular activities (up to 40% weightage). Special consideration (15% weightage) is given to students from rural areas.
Prerequisites
- Completion of Class 8
- Basic understanding of science and mathematics concepts up to Class 8 level
- Curiosity and interest in space science and technology
Additional requirements
- Must be an Indian citizen.
- Must have completed Class 8.
The YUVIKA program is open to all Indian students who are currently studying in Class 9 as of January 1st of the program year. Selection is based on a weighted system that considers academic performance in Class 8 (50%), an online quiz score (10%), and participation in extracurricular activities (up to 40% weightage). Special consideration (15% weightage) is given to students from rural areas.
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Beginner
What's covered
The comprehensive curriculum is designed to provide a 360-degree experience of space science and technology. It includes a blend of theoretical and practical learning: classroom lectures by senior and young ISRO scientists covering fundamentals of space technology, science, and applications (e.g., satellite systems, rocket science, India's space missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan); hands-on activities such as model rocketry, sky gazing, robotic coding/experiments, CANSAT experiments, DIY kits assembly, and drone demonstrations; technical facility visits to various ISRO centers (VSSC, URSC, SAC, NESAC, SDSC-SHAR, IIRS, NRSC) and other premier institutes like PRL, CSC, Calorax Foundation Experiment Lab, and Guru Shikhar observatory; and interactive sessions for discussions with experts. The program also incorporates extracurricular activities like yoga, meditation, sports, and cultural events to ensure a holistic development.
Rewards & Recognition
Certificate
ISRO Certificate of Participation
A prestigious Certificate of Participation from ISRO, highly recognized within the scientific and academic community in India, which can significantly boost a student's academic profile and future career prospects in STEM fields.
Opens doors to
Participation in ISRO YUVIKA provides a strong foundation and unique experience, serving as a significant differentiator for admissions to top universities and institutes in India and abroad, especially for engineering, science, and research programs.
Recognition
National Recognition from ISRO
Skills your child builds
Languages
What your child will do
- Invited talks by eminent scientists
- Experience sharing sessions with scientists
- Experimental demonstrations
- Facility and lab visits (e.g., VSSC, URSC, SAC, NESAC, SDSC-SHAR)
- Exclusive sessions for discussions with experts
- Practical and feedback sessions
- Model rocketry
- Sky gazing
- Robotic coding/experiments
- CANSAT experiments
- Drone demonstrations
- DIY kits assembly
- Yoga & meditation
- Sports
- Cultural activities
- Local sight tours
Mentors & faculty
Eminent scientists and engineers from ISRO.
How to apply
- 1Register via email on the official ISRO YUVIKA portal (jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/yuvika). Ensure your email is verified.
- 2Complete an online quiz within 48 hours of email registration. Read quiz guidelines carefully.
- 3After submitting the quiz, wait at least 60 minutes, then log in to the YUVIKA portal to fill out the detailed online application form with all required personal and educational information. Download the submitted form.
- 4Obtain attested photocopies of all required certificates (Class 8 marksheet, extracurricular activity certificates, rural area certificate if applicable) signed by your school Principal/Head. Scan and upload these attested documents along with the signed application form before the registration deadline.
- 5Generate a certificate for verification by your Principal/Head of School/Parent/Guardian to avoid cancellation due to mismatches.
Fees & financial support
Fee details
The YUVIKA program is completely free of charge for all selected participants. ISRO bears all expenses, which include: training materials, course kits, comfortable lodging at ISRO centers, nutritious boarding (food), and travel expenses. Travel reimbursement covers II AC train fare or AC bus fare from the nearest railway station/bus terminal to the designated ISRO reporting center and back. Additionally, reimbursement for one guardian/parent's II AC train fare for drop-off and pick-up is also provided, ensuring no financial burden on the families.
Frequently asked questions
Is ISRO YUVIKA (Yuva Vignani Karyakrama) - Young Scientist Programme for Class 9 Students free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in ISRO YUVIKA (Yuva Vignani Karyakrama) - Young Scientist Programme for Class 9 Students?
Students in Class 9. children aged 13-15.
What will my child gain from ISRO YUVIKA (Yuva Vignani Karyakrama) - Young Scientist Programme for Class 9 Students?
Hands-on experience in space science and technology.. Interaction with eminent ISRO scientists and engineers.. Fully sponsored program covering travel, accommodation, food, and training.. Development of critical scientific and analytical skills.. Networking opportunities with peers and experts nationwide.. Visits to state-of-the-art ISRO facilities and labs, including clean rooms, launch pads, and mission control centers.. Exposure to real-world space missions, satellite technology, and research.. Provides a prestigious Certificate of Participation from ISRO..
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