A total of 786 students from the Northeast ISRO centres participated in the North East Students Programme for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS) in 2025. This program was conducted in eight batches between April and December 2025, with each batch consisting of 90-100 students from the eight Northeastern states, supported by 10 coordinators who facilitated their educational activities. NE-SPARKS, initiated by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region of the Government of India, aims to enhance awareness of space science and technology among students in the region. It offers students firsthand exposure to India’s space achievements through organized visits to ISRO centres in Bengaluru, effectively addressing historical geographical and informational barriers that limited such opportunities.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving several key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), along with the State Governments of the Northeast. Jointly coordinated by NESAC and ISRO’s Capacity Building Programme Office (CBPO), the initiative is supported at the grassroots level by the respective State Governments.
The total sanctioned funding for NE-SPARKS is Rs 3.83 crore, structured on a 60:40 funding ratio where the NEC contributes Rs 2.3 crore, and the State Governments collectively contribute Rs 1.53 crore. This financial model underscores the commitment and partnership between both central and state authorities in fostering scientific talent within the region.
