On 2 April 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that the Government is aggressively expanding the "Yuva Vigyani Karyakram" (YUVIKA) to ensure equitable access to space science for rural and underprivileged students. Launched in 2019 by ISRO, the programme selects Class 9 students for a one-month residential summer training at premier space centres.
To bridge the urban-rural divide, the selection criteria now include a 15% special weightage for students from Panchayat-level schools. The Minister noted that 1,320 students have benefited so far, with the programme expanding to nine centres, including new facilities at Jodhpur (Rajasthan) and Mahendra Giri (Tamil Nadu), to accommodate the growing interest in India’s $8.4 billion space economy.
What is "YUVIKA" (Yuva Vigyani Karyakram)? YUVIKA is a "Young Scientist Programme" designed by ISRO to impart basic knowledge on space technology, space science, and space applications to younger students. It acts as a catalyst for scientific temper by providing early-stage exposure to the complexities of space missions before students make their final career choices in Class 11 and 12. This mechanism manifests as a transition from "classroom theory" to "launchpad reality," where students from remote villages get the opportunity to visit high-security rocket launch sites. For the Department of Space, YUVIKA is a primary lever to benchmark a trajectory of indigenous talent creation for India’s projected $44 billion space economy by 2033.
Operational Design and Inclusive Framework
Democratic Selection: The programme maintains regional balance by selecting 10 students from each State and 8 from each Union Territory annually, covering both Central and State boards.
Holistic Evaluation: Beyond academic grades, the selection process considers quiz performance, participation in science fairs, Olympiads, and extracurriculars like NSS and Scouts.
Hands-on Exposure: Selected students undergo 30 days of intensive training at centres like Sriharikota (SDSC) and Thiruvananthapuram (VSSC), interacting directly with senior scientists.
Synergy with STEM Initiatives: YUVIKA is complemented by the Vigyan Jyoti scheme, which specifically targets girls from Classes 9–12 to pursue careers in STEM.
The Policy Relevance: Democratising High-Tech Education
The expansion of YUVIKA signals a shift from elite institutional isolation to grassroots talent cultivation, essential for India's long-term space sovereignty.
Operationalises "Equitable Access": By mandating a 15% preference for Panchayat schools, the government transposes ISRO’s elite branding into a tool for social mobility, ensuring geography does not limit astronomical aspirations.
Incentivises Early-Stage STEM: The "Catch Them Young" philosophy identifies Class 9 as a critical intervention window, preventing the loss of scientific talent to non-technical career paths.
Decentralisation of Training: Adding centres in Jodhpur and Mahendra Giri transposes the training load to a pan-India network, making the residential experience accessible to students from North and West India.
Aligns with 2047 Space Vision: Preparing 350 students annually establishes a formal baseline for the skilled workforce required to manage the 90% increase in foreign satellite launches seen over the last decade.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: Does the decentralisation of ISRO training hubs through YUVIKA provide a scalable blueprint for other elite institutions like IITs and AIIMS to bridge the urban-rural divide?
Follow The Full News Here: Rajya Sabha briefed about Space orientation programmes