HARYANA: Students across Haryana will have the opportunity to participate in a week-long celebration of space science and technology as India Space Week 2026 is scheduled to be held from August 12 to August 18, 2026. The initiative is being organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned Indian space scientist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, whose contributions played an important role in the development of India’s space programme.
The programme is aimed at creating greater awareness about space science among school and college students and encouraging young learners to explore careers and opportunities in the space sector. Students from schools, colleges, universities, engineering institutes and medical institutions can participate in a variety of competitions, workshops and educational activities.
What can Haryana students participate in?
India Space Week 2026 will feature several activities covering different areas of science, technology, creativity and innovation. These include:
- Essay and speech competitions
- Drawing, painting and colouring competitions
- Space-themed fashion and costume events
- CanSat and CubeSat competitions
- Space Science Exhibition and Technology Showcase
- Space Medicine Innovation Challenge
- Online workshops on space science and technology
- Interaction sessions with scientists and experts
The essay competition will require students to write approximately 250 words on one of the topics prescribed by the organisers. The speech competition, scheduled for August 17, will give participants three to five minutes to speak on a designated topic related to India Space Week.
For younger students, a colouring competition will be organised for Classes 1 to 5 on August 14. Students participating in the drawing and painting competition will also get 60 minutes to complete their entries.
CanSat and CubeSat competition for technical students
Engineering students will have the opportunity to participate in the CanSat and CubeSat Competition, which will involve designing and developing satellite-related projects. Registration is scheduled between August 12 and August 18.
The competition will be conducted in different phases, including project development, launch and mission summary. Students selected at the institutional level will later be required to submit their final design reports, presentations, posters and research papers for further evaluation.
The competition carries cash prizes of ₹25,000 for the first position, ₹15,000 for the second and ₹10,000 for the third position.
Space Medicine Innovation Challenge for medical students
Students from AIIMS and other medical colleges can participate in the Space Medicine Innovation Challenge. The challenge will focus on encouraging innovative thinking around healthcare and medical requirements related to space exploration.
Activities under the challenge will include essay writing and first-aid kit design. Winners will receive cash prizes of ₹15,000, ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 for the first, second and third positions, respectively.
Workshops to introduce students to space technology
Along with competitions, online workshops will be conducted throughout the week on topics including satellites, artificial intelligence, rocketry, advanced drone technology, robotics and astronomy.
These sessions are intended to give students exposure to developments in space science and help them understand how different technologies are being used in the growing space sector.
Cash prizes and certificates for participants
Several competitions under India Space Week will offer cash prizes to winners. Depending on the competition, the prizes range from ₹1,000 to ₹25,000 for the top three positions.
The organisers have also stated that all registered participants will receive certificates of participation, while winners will be awarded prizes and certificates.
India Space Week has previously witnessed large-scale participation, with around 10 lakh students from approximately 4,055 schools, colleges, universities and other institutions taking part in various space education programmes.
For students in Haryana, the initiative offers an opportunity to combine classroom learning with competitions, practical activities and exposure to emerging areas of science and technology. With India's space sector expanding into new areas, such programmes can also help students understand the range of academic and career opportunities available in the field.
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