New Delhi, Dec 11 – The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, praised the “Jigyasa” Student–Scientist Connect Programme run by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as one of the most influential efforts to spark curiosity about science among school‑level students.
The scheme opens kids up to pioneering research and encourages a passion for investigation from a young age. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha today, Singh noted that it has already benefited more than 14 lakh pupils and around 80,000 teachers nationwide.
“Since we launched Jigyasa in 2017 in partnership with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), we’ve put learners right inside the world of science and innovation,” he said. The programme brings participants into CSIR labs, lets them meet scientists, and offers hands‑on projects.
Through popular‑science talks, workshops, residential learning modules, hackathons and experiment‑based sessions, students come away with a clear picture of research techniques and how science can solve real problems.
Over 3,900 Jigyasa activities have taken place across 37 CSIR laboratories, highlighting the programme’s wide geographic and institutional reach, Singh added.
He also highlighted the transformative effect of the “Jigyasa Virtual Lab”, which IIT Bombay helped develop in 2021. “This digital hub offers simulations, animations and interactive lessons, including 401 segments in Indian Sign Language to make learning accessible for Divyangjan students,” Singh explained. The virtual lab has given students from remote areas a chance to study high‑quality scientific material without travelling.
The minister pointed to the robust engagement in the flagship events under Jigyasa. “The Jigyasa Vigyan Mahotsav 2022 drew over 30,000 participants and received 3,000 submissions, from which 75 were honoured,” he said. “The EPIC Hackathon 2024 attracted 960 entries from across the country.”
Out of these, 47 pupils earned summer internships at 18 CSIR labs, gaining direct mentorship before competing in the final round hosted at CSIR‑IGIB in New Delhi.
Singh also reported the funding trajectory: Rs 597.10 lakh for 2021‑22, Rs 1,392.63 lakh for 2022‑23, Rs 1,650 lakh for 2023‑24, Rs 1,900 lakh for 2024‑25, and Rs 1,850 lakh for 2025‑26.
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