ISRO will select over 100 students from all across India and will give them practical training on how satellites are built under the new Young Scientist Programme. Class 9 students will be trained in space science and technology and its applications to create a passion among the youth for space-related activities. They will be given training in building satellites. This is also known as ‘Yuva Vigyani Karyakram’. The space agency wants to ‘catch them young’ and spread the ‘space passion’ among them. This program is being designed along the lines of a similar program run under the aegis of American space agency NASA.

The program selection procedure will be as follows:

•Selection of over 100 students across India and they will be given practical training regarding the building of satellites

•3 students will be selected from each state/ union territory to participate in the program every year covering CBSE, ICSE and state syllabus.

•It will be a two- week residential training program to be held in the summer vacations each year

•The selection of students will be based on academic and extra-curricular performance

•Students will be allowed to visit ISRO centres, interact with senior scientists and have access to research and development facilities during the month of January

•Travelling and boarding expenses will be borne by ISRO

•Students will be encouraged to make ‘scientific payloads’ which can be launched by ISRO

•The first merit list of students will be declared by March end

•Students of rural areas will be given special weight

•6 incubation centres have been launched for the  students

-Dr.Preeti Talwar