3k Haryana students to take ISRO tour for space science sessions

Gurgaon: Haryana will send around 3,000 meritorious students from classes 9 to 12 to various centres of Indian Space Research Organisation between Aug and Dec this year, officials said.The visits will be conducted in multiple batches and will provide students exposure to space science, satellite systems and rocket technology. The programme is being implemented under the Samagra Shiksha Haryana scheme to promote scientific learning among school students.Officials said the initiative has been expanded following a pilot programme in 2025-26, during which 198 students and 12 teachers visited ISRO facilities in Ahmedabad. The state govt bore all expenses for the tour.Explaining the selection process, the project coordinator (science) of the scheme, Sonali Vohra, said students would be selected district-wise based on academic performance. “The first batch will include district toppers across different schools, followed by second- and third-rank holders in subsequent batches. Around 88 students from each district, along with teachers, are expected to participate, taking the total close to 3,000,” she said.Vohra added that the programme includes toppers from classes 8 to 11 who are now studying in classes 9 to 12, particularly in the science stream, to ensure continuity in scientific exposure.Meanwhile, four Haryana students are currently visiting Japan under the Sakura Science Exchange Program. Officials said the students — all Class 12 state toppers — include two from Fatehabad and one each from Bhiwani and Mahendragarh. They left India on May 24 and are scheduled to return on May 30.“These students are getting exposure to Japan’s advanced science education and innovation ecosystem, which is a valuable learning experience,” Vohra said. Swapnil Rajender Patil, state project director of the scheme, said such programmes help improve scientific temperament and broaden students’ global outlook.