The Maharashtra government has announced an ambitious initiative to boost scientific curiosity among schoolchildren. Under the newly proposed Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari scheme, 51 students will be sent annually to NASA in the United States.
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Launched in June 2025, the scheme aims to reward not only winners of science competitions but also students whose projects demonstrate creativity and effort. Minister of State for School Education Pankaj Bhoyar explained that while prizes are awarded to winners, many deserving students often go unrecognized, and this initiative seeks to change that.
How the Scheme Works:
- Tehsil Level: Top 21 projects will get an educational trip to a local science centre.
- District Level: 51 best projects will be awarded a visit to ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.
- State Level: 51 finalists will be taken on an educational visit to NASA in the US.
The NASA trip alone is expected to cost around ₹3 crore, pending final government approval. Domestic trips will be funded by the District Planning and Development Council (DPDC).
Inspiring Future Scientists:
The government hopes the scheme will encourage students to pursue scientific research and innovation. Prize money for winners of state-level competitions has also been increased from ₹5,000 to ₹51,000.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved the scheme in June 2025, and final clearance of funds is awaited. Once implemented, the initiative could serve as a model for other states to foster a strong culture of scientific inquiry among students.