The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has partnered with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to launch a groundbreaking educational initiative that will bring advanced space science laboratories to 75 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across India. The project includes several schools in key Northeastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam, particularly institutions under the Bodoland Territorial Region.
Officials from the ministry confirmed that these “Space Labs” will promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning among tribal students. ISRO will provide key technical expertise, guidance, and educational content for the labs, which aim to ignite curiosity about space science and foster innovation from an early stage. Each lab will feature basic space science tools, models, and interactive setups aligned with ISRO’s curriculum modules.
In Assam, selected EMRS institutions located in the Bodoland Territorial Region will play a significant role in implementing the project. Administrators and educators have welcomed the move, seeing it as a major step toward reducing the educational gap between urban and remote tribal areas. The labs will help students learn about satellites, rocket propulsion, astronomy, and planetary science in an interactive and practical environment.
In Tripura, school officials and local tribal leaders praised the government’s initiative. They noted that tribal students have long lacked exposure to advanced scientific tools and hands-on training in frontier sciences. With the launch of these labs, students will gain direct insight into real-world applications of science and engineering.
Mizoram’s tribal communities have also expressed optimism, emphasizing that the presence of such high-tech infrastructure in EMRS will motivate students to pursue higher education in science and technology. The state government has pledged full support to ensure successful execution of the project and will coordinate with ISRO and BPCL during all stages of development.
Arunachal Pradesh, with its diverse tribal population, will also host space labs in its EMRS schools. Education officials in the state said they will train selected science teachers in handling space lab equipment and integrating it into their teaching plans. The first round of teacher training is expected to begin in June, followed by a phased rollout of lab materials by August 2025.
The Space Lab initiative marks a significant leap in educational equity, particularly for tribal communities in the Northeastern region. By embedding advanced science education into daily learning environments, the project aims to nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and thinkers from traditionally underserved populations.
BPCL, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, will fund the infrastructure and training costs. The oil major has expressed its commitment to empowering tribal youth through education and skill-building programs. The company will also monitor the implementation process to ensure that each lab delivers impactful learning experiences.
Officials from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs stated that the program is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes experiential learning and greater integration of technology into classrooms. The EMRS network, created to offer high-quality education to tribal students, will now be further strengthened with this collaboration with ISRO and BPCL.
The labs are expected to open new academic opportunities for students in remote regions. Many schools are already preparing infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the new facilities. Teachers are also undergoing digital literacy and STEM workshops to align their instruction with the new lab offerings.
Students from previous batches of EMRS schools have shown growing interest in science-related careers. With this added push, officials believe tribal youth will now have a clearer path to enter competitive fields like aerospace engineering, physics, and satellite communication.
The Northeast’s participation in this national initiative sends a strong message about inclusivity in science education. Stakeholders hope that the presence of these labs will not only enrich the academic experience but also inspire students to dream beyond their surroundings and actively contribute to India’s space mission goals.
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