ISRO Unveils YUVIKA 2026: A Strategic Initiative to Cultivate Young Space Scientists
The Indian Space Research Organisation has officially announced the 2026 edition of its highly anticipated Young Scientist Programme, widely recognized by its acronym YUVIKA, which stands for YUva VIgyani KAryakram. This innovative initiative is specifically tailored for school students, with the primary goal of introducing them to the fundamental concepts of space technology, space science, and practical space applications during their formative educational years.
Programme Objectives and Long-Term Vision
ISRO has meticulously designed the YUVIKA programme with a clear and focused objective: to identify promising young talent at an early stage and systematically guide students toward rewarding careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Senior officials from the space agency have emphasized that this move represents a crucial component of a long-term, strategic effort to build and strengthen India's future scientific workforce, ensuring the nation remains competitive in advanced technological domains.
ISRO YUVIKA 2026: Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
Students who are studying in Class 9 as of January 1, 2026, and are currently enrolled in schools within India's territorial boundaries are eligible to apply for this prestigious programme. ISRO has explicitly stated that representation from every single State and Union Territory will be carefully ensured, thereby providing students from diverse geographical regions across the entire country with an equal and fair opportunity to participate.
ISRO YUVIKA 2026: Comprehensive Multi-Layered Selection Process
Selection for the YUVIKA-2026 programme will be strictly merit-based and involves a sophisticated, multi-layered evaluation system. The highest weightage, constituting a substantial 50 percent of the total score, will be allocated to the marks secured by students in their Class 8 examinations or the most recent academic evaluation available.
Other critical parameters that will be considered in the selection process include:
- Online quiz performance: 10% weightage
- Participation in science fairs and co-curricular activities: 2–10% weightage, depending on the level of achievement
- Olympiad or equivalent academic achievements: 2–5% weightage
- Sports competition achievements: 2–5% weightage
- Scout and Guides / NCC / NSS membership (over the last 3 years): 5% weightage
- Students from rural schools located in Panchayat areas: 15% weightage
The deliberate inclusion of a significant weightage for students from rural schools clearly signals ISRO's proactive attempt to widen access and identify exceptional talent beyond traditional urban centres, promoting inclusivity and diversity in scientific pursuits.
ISRO YUVIKA 2026: Programme Hosting Centres Across India
YUVIKA-2026 will be hosted at nine major ISRO centres strategically located across the country, providing students with unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge space facilities:
- Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
- U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru
- Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
- National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad
- North-Eastern Space Applications Centre, Shillong
- ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri
- Regional Remote Sensing Centre, Jodhpur
Selected students will receive direct, hands-on exposure to advanced space laboratories, sophisticated satellite technology, practical remote sensing applications, and complex propulsion systems, offering an immersive educational experience.
Travel and Accommodation Provisions
ISRO will comprehensively reimburse travel expenses for all selected students. The reimbursement will be strictly limited to II AC train fare or an equivalent authorised AC bus fare from the nearest railway station or bus terminal to the designated reporting centre and back. Students are required to submit original travel tickets to facilitate the reimbursement process. In cases where travel is undertaken in a higher class, the reimbursement will be capped at the II AC fare amount. Importantly, the agency will bear all costs related to course material, accommodation, and boarding throughout the duration of the programme, ensuring financial barriers do not hinder participation.
Building the Next Generation of Scientific Pioneers
YUVIKA is not merely a basic orientation programme; it represents a strategic intervention by ISRO to nurture scientific curiosity and innovation at a critically formative age. By ingeniously combining academic merit with co-curricular achievements and proactive rural representation, ISRO is demonstrably widening the national talent pool, tapping into diverse sources of potential.
At a time when global space competition is intensifying rapidly, India's premier space agency is making a forward-thinking investment in its youngest minds, long before they formally step into engineering colleges or dedicated research laboratories. This early engagement strategy is poised to cultivate a robust pipeline of future scientists and engineers.
Applications for the ISRO YUVIKA 2026 programme will officially open on February 27. For countless Class 9 students across India, this initiative could very well represent their first transformative step into the captivating world of rockets, satellites, and ambitious space missions, potentially shaping their academic and professional trajectories for years to come.
