The 19th edition of the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS), a flagship initiative by Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium under the Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, was launched today at Lok Seva Bhawan.
The event, inaugurated by Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Science & Technology, marks another milestone in fostering scientific curiosity among Odisha’s youth.
This year’s theme, “Stargazer Today, Gagannaut Tomorrow,” aligns with India’s ambitious Gaganyaan project, showcasing the nation’s human spaceflight aspirations. YATS invites students from classes 6 to 10 across Odisha to participate in competitions designed to spark interest in space science, astrophysics, and astronomy while honouring the legacy of legendary Odia astronomer Pathani Samanta.
“YATS is a unique platform that ignites young minds to explore the cosmos,” said Minister Patra during the launch. “Competitions will be held at school and district levels, culminating in a grand finale on December 13 at Pathani Samanta Planetarium. Thirty state winners will visit ISRO’s facility in Bengaluru to interact with leading scientists.”
The launch event saw the presence of dignitaries, including Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department, Smt. Sibani Mohanty and Puja Mishra, Additional Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Bidyut Prabha Rout, FA-Cum-Additional Secretary, Smt. Urmiprava Maharana, Deputy Secretary and Director of Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Chinmayee Chetana Das, Deputy Secretary, and Debasish Jena, Chief Resident Executive, Tata Steel.
Students can participate through their schools or online via the YATS website. The competition features an open quiz for classes 6–8 and a multiple-choice question (MCQ) test for classes 9–10. District-level winners will compete in the grand finale on December 13, 2025, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahamahopadhyaya Chandrasekhara Singha Harichandana Mahapatra Samanta, fondly known as Pathani Samanta.
Since its inception, YATS has inspired over 4.71 lakh students across Odisha, with 230 winners visiting ISRO facilities, including the Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) and U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru. This year’s winners will continue this tradition, gaining firsthand exposure to India’s advancements in space research.
YATS remains a beacon of inspiration, encouraging Odisha’s youth to dream big and aim for the stars, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a global leader in space exploration.
