National Science Seminar 2026: Soumyashree Thanapati of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, Jharmunda (Odisha) wins first place

1 November 2026 · English Science & Technology

Topics: Science, Sports, Defence & International · 1 November 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

In the 'National Science Seminar 2026' held by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM – Union Ministry of Culture) at the National Science Centre, New Delhi, Soumyashree Thanapati, a Class X student of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV), Jharmunda, Loisingha block, Balangir district, Odisha, won first place (reported 31 Oct 2026). Theme: 'Indian Energy Basket 2047: Prospects and Challenges'. It is the first win by an Odisha student at this seminar in 13 years.

Key facts

Background

• NCSM: an autonomous society registered on 4 April 1978; HQ Kolkata; under the Union Ministry of Culture. Its first science museum was the Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM), Kolkata (2 May 1959, originally under CSIR). The National Science Centre, New Delhi, opened on 9 January 1992.
• The Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM), Bengaluru, heads NCSM's South zone; it is named after Sir M. Visvesvaraya, whose birthday (15 Sept) is celebrated as 'Engineers' Day' in India; he received the Bharat Ratna in 1955.
• Aim of the seminar: to build a spirit of scientific enquiry and analytical thinking in young students. Held every year with State Education and S&T departments. The 2024 theme was 'Artificial Intelligence: Potentials & Concerns' (Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, 26 Nov 2024).
• Economy/Science: an 'energy basket' is a country's mix of energy sources – coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, solar, wind. 2047 marks the centenary of India's independence ('Viksit Bharat @2047'). India's targets: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030; net zero by 2070 (COP26, Glasgow).

Tamil Nadu link: the only NCSM-owned unit in Tamil Nadu is the District Science Centre, Tirunelveli (functioning since 1987, near the Thamirabarani river), under VITM Bengaluru's South zone. Tamil Nadu students also reach this seminar through district and State rounds.

Source: Sambad English, OdishaBytes, OmmCom News, 31 Oct 2026; NCSM website (network of units); Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai

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