Registrations open for National Children's Science Congress 2026, Gujarat to send 26 projects to national stage
Gandhinagar, Aug 5
Registrations have opened for the National Children's Science Congress-2026 in Gujarat, inviting students aged between 10 to 17 years to develop research-based projects addressing local challenges, with 26 of the state's best entries set to represent Gujarat at the national-level competition.
The Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), the State coordinator for the programme, on Wednesday launched the registration process for this year's Congress, which aims to encourage scientific temperament, research skills and innovation among young people.
Registration is free for both students and teachers and will remain open online until August 15.
Organised under the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) of Central government's Department of Science and Technology, the National Children's Science Congress provides students with an opportunity to investigate issues in their local communities using scientific methods and present practical, evidence-based solutions.
According to GUJCOST, the programme has helped thousands of students across Gujarat to demonstrate their scientific abilities since 2014 by presenting research projects at district and state-level competitions.
The theme for the 2026 edition is "Science and Innovation for Sustainability".
Students may undertake projects under five broad sub-themes: waste management; energy; water conservation; food, agriculture and health; and Indian Knowledge Systems.
Students from Classes 6 to 12, along with out-of-school children aged between 10 and 17 years, are eligible to participate.
Entries must be submitted by teams comprising two students working under the guidance of one mentor teacher.
Projects selected at the district level will progress to the state competition, where 26 outstanding projects will be chosen to represent Gujarat at the national-level National Children's Science Congress.
In addition to participation in the competition, GUJCOST said innovative and impactful projects would receive support through its Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC).
The centre will assist participants in securing intellectual property rights, including patents, designs and copyrights, where applicable.
GUJCOST has invited schools, teachers, parents and eligible students across the state to participate in the programme before the registration deadline on August 15.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Love the theme "Science and Innovation for Sustainability"! My cousin participated in a similar event last year and it changed her outlook completely. She's now obsessed with water conservation projects. This is how we build the next generation of Indian innovators. 🌱🔬
The Indian Knowledge Systems sub-theme is a brilliant addition. Our traditional practices have so much scientific value that often goes unrecognized. This could be a unique opportunity for students to bridge ancient wisdom with modern science. Well thought out!
Impressive initiative! The focus on local community problems with practical solutions is what real science education should look like. I just wish the registration deadline wasn't so tight - August 15 gives schools only about 10 days to organize teams. Still, great program overall.
As a teacher in a government school in a small town, I'm particularly happy to see the inclusion of out-of-school children too. Many talented kids in rural areas never get such exposure. This is a truly democratic approach to science education. My students are already excited to register!
The IPFC support for patents and copyrights is a smart way to encourage original thinking. However, I wonder if the 2-student team limit might exclude some group projects that could be even more impactful. Nevertheless, this is a solid step towards India's scientific future.
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.