Odisha Celebrates Young Astronomers: Beam to the Stars

The Odisha government honored 30 young astronomers excelling in the Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search 2025. This initiative, aiming to inspire interest in astronomy and space science, involved over 76,700 students statewide. The program highlights government and Tata Steel collaboration in nurturing scientific talent.

The Odisha government recently honored 30 young astronomers who excelled in the prestigious Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) 2025. This recognition event, attended by Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, underscores the state's commitment to fostering interest in space science among its youth.

The ceremony, organized by Tata Steel in collaboration with the Pathani Samanta Planetarium, celebrated students who emerged as top contenders from a pool of over 76,700 participants statewide. Since its inception in 2007, YATS has impacted over 4.7 lakh students, aiming to inspire young minds towards the fields of science, astronomy, and space research.

Chithra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, praised YATS as a powerful example of collaboration between the state government and Tata Steel. She emphasized the program's role in nurturing the intellectual curiosity and scientific aspirations of Odisha's youth.