What is YUVIKA programme?

The Young Scientist Programme, also known as Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA), has benefitted a total of 1,320 students so far, reflecting the growing enthusiasm among young learners for space-related disciplines, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

What is YUVIKA?

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is organising the ‘Young Scientist Programme’ or ‘YUva VIgyani KAryakram’ (YUVIKA) to impart basic knowledge on space technology, space science and space applications to Class 9 students.

• The programme, first announced in 2019, comprises special provisions to ensure wider access.

• 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.

• The programme is aimed at creating awareness about the emerging trends in science and technology amongst the youngsters

• The programme is also expected to encourage more students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research/career.

• It has been structured to ensure democratic and equitable participation, with 10 students selected from each state and eight from each Union Territory annually, thereby maintaining balanced regional representation.

• The selection criteria incorporate special weightage for rural students, including 15 per cent  preference for students from panchayat-level schools. 

• 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.

• As many as 1,320 students have benefited from the programme so far, across five editions. 

• The final selection is carried out after due verification of credentials, ensuring a fair and merit-based process.

• Initiatives like YUVIKA are aligned with the broader vision of building a scientifically empowered India and strengthening the nation's capabilities in the space sector through early talent identification and nurturing.