ISRO Young Scientist 2023: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is organising a special programme called "Young Scientist Programme", or YUVIKA, short for "YUva VIgyani KAryakram". The registration for ISRO's YUVIKA has begun today (March 20, 2023). 


ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: All About YUVIKA


YUVIKA is a two-day programme which will be conducted from May 15 to 16, 2023. The aim of YUVIKA is to impart basic knowledge on space technology, space science and space applications to young students, who are the building block of the nation, ISRO says on its website. YUVIKA will help young students gain knowledge about emerging trends in space science and technology, and is expected to encourage more students to pursue research and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 


ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: Eligibility


Students who were studying in Standard IX as on January 1, 2023, in India, will be eligible to apply for the Young Scientist Programme. 


ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: How To Apply Online


Registration for the ISRO Young Scientist Programme began on March 20, 2023, and will end on April  3, 2023. 



  1. Interested candidates should register themselves on the ISRO Antriksh Jigyasa Platform by clicking on the following link: jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/registration

  2. The students must fill all the mandatory fields, which include first name, email address, phone number, country, state, city and school name. They must create a password of at least eight characters, and use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. 

  3. After filling the mandatory fields, the student must click on 'Register'.

  4. After successful registration, the students will receive an email asking them to verify their email address. The students must click on the verification link sent to their registered e-mail address.

  5. Next, the students must participate in SpaceQuiz. They should read the guidelines carefully before attempting the quiz. 

  6. After completing the quiz, the students must fill their personal profile and education details. 

  7. The students must take photocopies of their certificates and get them signed by their school principal or head, or any parent or guardian for verification. Then, they must scan the verified certificates and upload them on the website. 

  8. Students must also scan their original certificates and upload them on the website. 


The ISRO website claims that if any mismatch is observed between the attached certificates and the certificates for verification (signed photocopies of certificates), the candidature of the student will be cancelled. 


ISRO has cautioned students to carefully review all the details they enter into the application, and the uploaded documents and certificates for verification before pressing the submit button. 


ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: Selection Criteria


Participants will be selected based on the marks obtained by them in their Standard VIII final examination, performance in the online quiz, and participation in science fairs in the last three years, among others. 


Candidates who have participated in science fairs at the school, district, or state level and above in the last three years will get a score of two per cent, five per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively, as part of the selection procedure.  


Candidates with ranks 1, 2 or 3 in Olympiad or any equivalent competitive examination at school, district, or state level and above, in the last three years, will get a score of two per cent, four per cent, and five per cent, respectively, as part of the selection procedure. 


Candidates who have won sports competitions with ranks 1, 2 or 3 at school, district, or state level and above, in the last three years, will get scores of two per cent, four per cent, and five per cent, respectively, as part of the selection procedure. 


The marks obtained in the Standard VIII final examination have a weightage of 50 per cent in the selection criteria.


The performance in the online quiz will have a weight of 10 per cent. 


Candidates who have been scouts and guides, or a member of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in the last three years will get a score of five per cent as part of the selection procedure. 


Students studying in a village or rural school located in the Panchayat area will get a score of 15 per cent as part of the selection procedure. 


 



ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: Selection Criteria For YUVIKA (Photo: ISRO)


ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: Important Dates


The registration process will end on April 3, 2023. The first selection list will be released on April 10, 2023. 


The second selection list, which could be made if there are vacancies, or if students in the first selection list do not confirm their participation in the programme, will be released on April 20, 2023.


The selected students must report at the ISRO centre assigned to them on May 14, 2023. 


The YUVIKA Programme will be held from May 15 to 16, 2023.


The selected students will be sent home from their respective centres on May 27, 2023. 


 



ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: Important Dates For YUVIKA (Photo: ISRO)


 


Students can obtain all information on the YUVIKA Programme by visiting the following link: jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/yuvika


ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: ISRO Centres


ISRO will ensure a minimum participation from each state and union territory. 


The seven centres of ISRO where the YUVIKA Programme is planned are:



  1. Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun

  2. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota

  3. Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad

  4. North-East Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC), Shillong.

  5. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram

  6. U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru

  7. National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad.


ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2023: Travel Details


Selected students who travel to and from their respective ISRO centres in Second AC Sleeper Class train by the Indian Railways, or an air-conditioned bus, including Volvo, provided by the state government or any other authorised transportation service, must produce their original travel tickets in order to obtain the reimbursement of travel fare. The amount spent in travelling to ISRO centre, and returning home, will be reimbursed. 


If the student has not travelled in a Second AC Sleeper Class train, the maximum reimbursement will be limited to the fare of Second AC Sleeper Class train, ISRO says on its website. 


ISRO will provide the course material, and take care of the lodging and boarding of the students, during the entire course.