THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 28, 2026

Reinforcing its long-standing commitment to nurturing scientific talent and strengthening the future innovation ecosystem, Tata Steel, in collaboration with the Pathani Samanta Planetarium under the Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, has launched the 20th edition of the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS). The flagship initiative, unveiled by Odisha's Minister of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology, Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, at Lokseva Bhawan, aims to inspire the next generation of space scientists and innovators under the theme, "India's Next Gagganaut."

Over the past two decades, YATS has evolved into one of Odisha's most impactful science outreach programmes, creating a robust platform for students from Classes VI to X to demonstrate their aptitude in astronomy, astrophysics and space science while celebrating the legacy of legendary Odia astronomer Pathani Samanta. The initiative has become a significant example of industry-government collaboration in developing future-ready human capital aligned with India's growing ambitions in the global space economy.

Launching the milestone edition, Minister Krushna Chandra Patra highlighted the transformative impact of the programme, stating that the theme "India's Next Gagganaut" reflects the state's vision of inspiring tomorrow's space explorers. Appreciating Tata Steel's continued partnership, he noted that YATS has already reached more than 5.4 lakh students across Odisha, while 260 winners have earned the rare opportunity to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and experience India's space programme firsthand. He emphasized that scientific advancement remains the foundation of every developed nation and expressed confidence that the curiosity and innovation fostered through YATS would contribute significantly towards realizing the vision of Viksit Odisha by 2036 and Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The launch ceremony witnessed the presence of senior government officials and Tata Steel leadership, including Chithra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha and Chairperson, Pathani Samanta Planetarium; Sibani Mohanty and Puja Mishra, Additional Secretaries; Bidyut Prabha Rout, FA-cum-Additional Secretary; Urmiprava Maharana, Deputy Secretary and Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium; Mohit Das, Chief Resident Executive, Tata Steel; and Subhranshu Sekhar Panda, Chief – Corporate Services, Tata Steel Meramandali.

Speaking at the event, Mohit Das reaffirmed Tata Steel's commitment to expanding the programme's reach by making participation more inclusive through both physical and digital platforms. He said the company remains dedicated to inspiring young minds and cultivating scientific curiosity among students across Odisha, reinforcing its broader vision of supporting education, innovation and sustainable community development.

Participation in YATS 2026 has been opened to students through their respective schools as well as through online registration. The competition will feature an open quiz for students of Classes VI to VIII and a multiple-choice examination for students of Classes IX and X. District-level winners will advance to the Grand Finale, scheduled to be held at the Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, on December 13, 2026, commemorating the birth anniversary of Mahamahopadhyaya Pandita Samanta Chandrasekhara Singha Harichandana Mahapatra, widely revered as Pathani Samanta.

The programme's impressive legacy underscores its growing influence in shaping Odisha's scientific landscape. Winners of the 19th edition visited ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota, gaining firsthand exposure to India's achievements in space exploration. Since its inception, YATS has emerged as a powerful talent discovery platform, reaching more than 5.4 lakh students and enabling 260 young achievers to visit premier ISRO facilities — an experience that continues to motivate aspiring scientists and strengthen India's future talent pipeline for the rapidly expanding space sector.

As India accelerates investments in space technology, research and innovation, initiatives such as the Young Astronomer Talent Search demonstrate how strategic partnerships between industry and government can play a pivotal role in building a skilled scientific workforce, inspiring innovation at the grassroots and contributing to the nation's long-term economic and technological competitiveness.