Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 11: Speaking in the Rajya Sabha today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the “Jigyasa” Student-Scientist Connect Programme of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), initiated by the Modi Govt, has emerged as one of the most impactful initiatives for fostering scientific curiosity among school children.
The Minister stated that the programme has benefitted more than 14 lakh school children and around 80,000 teachers across the country so far, providing exposure to cutting-edge scientific work and nurturing interest in research from an early age.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that “Jigyasa”, launched in 2017 in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), brings students directly into the ecosystem of science and innovation by facilitating visits to CSIR laboratories, interactions with scientists, and hands-on activities. Through popular science lectures, workshops, residential learning programmes, hackathons, and experiment-based engagements, students gain insights into scientific methods and real-world applications. As many as 3,900 Jigyasa activities have been conducted across 37 CSIR laboratories, reflecting the wide geographic and institutional spread of the initiative.
The Minister also emphasised the transformative impact of the “Jigyasa Virtual Lab”, developed with IIT Bombay in 2021. This digital platform hosts simulations, animations, and interactive learning modules, including 401 pieces of content enabled in Indian Sign Language, ensuring inclusivity for Divyangjan learners. The virtual lab has added a significant digital dimension to Jigyasa’s outreach, allowing students from remote regions to access high-quality scientific content without physical constraints.
Dr Jitendra Singh further noted the extensive participation in flagship programmes under the initiative. The “Jigyasa Vigyan Mahotsav 2022” witnessed an overwhelming response with more than 30,000 participants and 3,000 content submissions, of which 75 entries were awarded. Similarly, the EPIC Hackathon 2024 received 960 applications from students nationwide. Out of these, 47 students underwent summer internships in 18 CSIR laboratories, gaining hands-on mentorship before competing in the final round held at CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi. Dr. Singh stated that such programmes have introduced students to problem-solving, experimentation, and innovation in real laboratory environments.
Responding to a question in the House, Dr. Jitendra Singh shared financial details of the Jigyasa programme over the last five years. He informed that the allocations were Rs 597.10 lakh in 2021-22, Rs 1,392.63 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 1,650.00 lakh in 2023-24, Rs 1,900.00 lakh in 2024-25, and Rs 1,850.00 lakh in 2025-26. He added that this steady increase in funding reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding the reach of Jigyasa and enhancing its scientific and educational components.
CSIR also provided state-wise details of funds released to its laboratories implementing the programme during 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25. Laboratories in Maharashtra received the highest allocations (Rs 200.30 lakh, Rs 215.90 lakh, and Rs 224.35 lakh respectively), followed by Telangana, New Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, which consistently received substantial funding. Laboratories in Assam, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and other regions also received financial support, ensuring that the programme reaches students and teachers nationwide.
Special mention was made of initiatives such as India’s first Indian Sign Language-enabled Astronomy Laboratory for Divyangjan students in Karnal, showcasing the programme’s emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility. Likewise, the nationwide “One Day as a Scientist Week,” organised between 21-25 July 2025, drew participation from nearly 14,000 students across CSIR laboratories, providing them with first-hand exposure to scientific research and experimentation.
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