New Delhi. Indian Space Research Organisation has launched a special programme for school children called “Young Scientist Programme” “YUva VIgyani KAryakram” (युविका) from this year, a press statement issued from the Government said on March 4.

The Programme is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities.

ISRO has chalked out this programme to “Catch them young”. The residential training programme will be of around two weeks duration during summer holidays and it is proposed to select three students each from each State/ Union Territory to participate in this programme every year covering CBSE, ICSE and State syllabus.

Those who have finished 8th standard and currently studying in 9th standard will be eligible for the programme.

ISRO has approached the Chief Secretaries of the respective States/ Administrators of Union Territories in India to arrange for the selection of three students from each of their State/UT and communicate the list to ISRO.

The selection is based on the academic performance and extracurricular activities, which is clearly mentioned in the selection criteria already circulated to Chief Secretaries of States/ Administrators of UTs.

Students belong to the rural area have been given special weightage in the selection criteria. The list of the selected candidates from each state is expected by March end 2019.