Young Scientist Programme (Yuvika-2019), which started on May 13, 2019 concluded successfully on May 25, 2019. A total of 111 students representing each and every State and Union Territory of India participated in the programme. The participating students attended the 2 weeks training programme at four centres of ISRO namely, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram; U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru; Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad and North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Shillong.

The Program 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. Some of the specific topics covered during the programme are history of science and technology in India, history of Launch Vehicles, different kinds of rocket propulsion, origin of Universe, Solar system, history of Indian satellite technology, types of Satellites, parts of a satellite, applications of satellites, space science, satellites for weather / climate studies, interplanetary space missions, manned space missions etc. The participants were deeply engrossed in the discussions in each session and posed many mind boggling questions during the programme. The special sessions were also arranged for interaction with eminent space scientists.

Students from all the participating centers assembled at Satish Dhawan Space Centre during 17-18 May 2019 during the course of programme. The students visited the facilities at SDSC, SHAR and also witnessed R 200 sounding rocket launch.

While addressing the students at SDSC, SHAR; Dr K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO pointed out that it is a very important science programme for students. He also mentioned that this kind of programme will lead to national integration and nation building. He mentioned that 3 students each from states and union territories of India have been selected for the programme and urged them to be the torch bearers for the promotion of Indian Space Programme in the respective region. During the SAMWAD session with students, Chairman, ISRO reiterated the requirement of youngsters to come up with newer ideas to improve the existing capability of space technology and the emerging challenging tasks. He wished that programme like this should create good number of scientists every year.

The programme concluded at the respective centres on May 25th, 2019 successfully.