Pune Zilla Parishad to Send 75 Students to NASA and ISRO in 2025-26
Pune, 25th March 2025: In a move to inspire scientific curiosity among young students, the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) has announced a program to send 75 students to NASA and ISRO in the 2025-26 financial year. The initiative aims to provide students with firsthand exposure to space research and technology, encouraging them to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Screening for 58,000 Students
The selection process for this prestigious opportunity will be conducted by the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). Around 58,000 students from Classes V to VIII in ZP schools will compete for the 75 spots, with 25 students visiting NASA in the United States and 50 students touring ISRO facilities in India.
Bridging the Rural-Urban Gap
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Pune ZP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gajanan Patil said, “Many of our students come from rural backgrounds with limited exposure to even urban areas, let alone international opportunities. This program will inspire them to dream big and explore new frontiers in science and technology.”
Funding Allocation for the Project
The ambitious project will be supported by the District Planning Committee, ensuring the necessary financial backing. Chandrakant Waghmare, Additional CEO of Pune ZP, confirmed that “₹1 crore has been earmarked under the Educational Quality Development subhead in Pune ZP’s 2025-26 budget to fund this initiative.”
With this initiative, Pune Zilla Parishad hopes to ignite scientific aspirations in young minds, equipping them with knowledge and inspiration to contribute to India’s growing space and technology sector.
