May 02, 2025

The North East Students' Programme for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS) is a pioneering initiative aimed at igniting curiosity and fostering awareness about space science and technology among students from the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. This program seeks to bridge geographical and informational gaps by providing students with an immersive experience of India's advancements in space research and exploration through visits to ISRO Centre in Bengaluru.

Hon’ble Union Home Minister and President of NESAC Society, Shri Amit Shah during the 12^th meeting of the NESAC Society held on 21^st December, 2024, advised to organize a visit for 800 talented science students from the all 8 states of the North Eastern Region to ISRO covering 100 students from each state. The NE-SPARKS program is designed to inspire young minds, offering them an opportunity to witness cutting-edge technologies, interact with eminent scientists and engineers through a carefully designed guided tour, students will gain insights into ISRO’s mission to explore the unknown, enabling them to envision a future in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

It is proposed that, each trip shall consist of 100 students from eight states of NER and 10 coordinators. The program will be executed in eight batches with a minimum one month interval starting from April 2025 to December, 2025. The program is funded by the MDoNER and the state Govt. in 60:40 ratio respectively. NESAC is the nodal agency from ISRO to execute the program with support from CBPO, ISRO HQ.

The first batch of the program with 99 students covering 8 North Eastern States along with one coordinator from each state had visited Bengaluru during 21-24 April, 2025. The two-day visit commenced with student’s interaction with Dr V. Narayanan, Secretary, DOS / Chairman, ISRO. The session was also attended by Shri M Ganesh Pillai, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, Dr. A. K. Anilkumar, Director, ISTRAC; Shri M. Sankaran, Director, URSC; Dr. SP Aggarwal, Director, NESAC; along with senior officials from ISRO Headquarters and ISTRAC. Students had the opportunity to visit the Satellite Control Centre (SCC), Mission Operations Complex (MOX), and the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu, gaining first hand insight into satellite operations and deep space communications.

On the second day, students had visited UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), exploring spacecraft integration facilities and the URSC exhibition area. They had also visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium with an engaging lecture and planetarium show on Gaganyaan.