The Maharashtra government has launched the Vidhyarthi Vigyan Vari scheme. Each year, 51 talented students will be sent to NASA. Selection will be based on competitions held at the tehsil, district, and state levels. Students will receive training and experience in space science.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has outlined the Vidhyarthi Vigyan Vari scheme to boost students' interest in science and space research. Under this scheme, 51 talented students at the state level will be sent to NASA in the USA each year to gain experience and training in the fields of space and aeronautic science.
This initiative by the state government has been designed with the aim of advancing students in the field of scientific research and innovation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved this scheme in June 2025, but it will only be implemented after the scheme is finalized and the necessary funds are sanctioned.
Goal to send 51 students to NASA every year
Sharing details of the scheme, Minister of State for School Education, Pankaj Bhoyar, stated that the State Education Department will send 51 students to NASA every year. He mentioned that science project competitions are organized from the school level up to the district and state levels.
Winners are awarded prizes, but the efforts and hard work of students who do not win will also be honored. This is why students will be given this opportunity to gain international experience.
Statement by Minister of State for School Education, Pankaj Bhoyar
Pankaj Bhoyar stated that the objective of this scheme is to maintain students' interest in science and to advance them in the field of scientific research. He added that students will learn through science projects, conduct new experiments, and gain inspiration to work on big ideas for the future.
Through this scheme, not only will students' knowledge increase, but they will also gain direct experience about science and space technology by visiting science centers.
Different Levels of Tours under the Scheme
According to officials from the School Education Department, the scheme will be implemented in three levels:
- Tehsil Level Competition: Students with the top 21 projects in science project competitions held at the tehsil level will be taken on a tour of their respective departmental science centers.
- District Level Competition: Students with the top 51 projects in district level competitions will be taken on a tour of the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.
- State Level Competition: The 51 winning students from the state level final competition will be sent to NASA under the Chief Minister's Vidhyarthi Vigyan Vari scheme.
Thus, students will get the opportunity to gain scientific experience from local to national and international levels.
Cost and Financial Management
The total estimated cost for the NASA tour under the Vidhyarthi Vigyan Vari scheme is approximately 3 crore rupees. Students' NASA tour will only be confirmed after the necessary funds for this scheme are sanctioned.
Funds from the District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) will be used to organize tehsil and district level tours. Additional approval is required for the state level NASA tour.
Benefits for Students from the Scheme
Students will get the opportunity to visit NASA internationally and gain experience in scientific research.
- Creative thinking and experimental knowledge will develop through science projects.
- Students will find new career opportunities in space and aeronautic science.
- State-level winning students will receive high-level exposure in scientific research.
Student Preparation and Selection Process
Under the Vidhyarthi Vigyan Vari scheme, the selection process will be based on science project competitions. Students will have to participate in competitions organized at the tehsil, district, and state levels.
- Tehsil Level: Selection of the top 21 projects in the competition.
- District Level: ISRO tour for the selected 51 projects.
- State Level: Students with the top 51 projects will be sent to NASA.
Thus, the selection process will be entirely performance-based and determined by the students' hard work and talent.
Government's Plan and Vision
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and officials from the School Education Department want students to gain the latest technology and international experience in science. This scheme has been prepared to excite young people about science and to inspire them to pursue careers in space research and aeronautics in the future.
The state government believes that this scheme will develop students' creative thinking and technical skills and provide an opportunity for Maharashtra's students to showcase their talent on an international platform.
