The Indian Space Science Olympiad (ISSO) 2025, a prestigious national-level academic initiative organised by Edu Mithra Intellectual Services Pvt. Ltd., was successfully conducted from 27 to 29 December 2025 at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The three-day Final Level programme comprised an intensive offline workshop and a competitive examination, bringing together some of the brightest young minds in space science from across India.
From a Preliminary Examination conducted among over 5,000 students from all Indian states, 350 students were shortlisted to participate in the Final Level workshop and competitive examination. The programme featured in-depth academic sessions on space science, along with astronomical observations, sky-watching activities, and hands-on telescope training, offering students an immersive and practical exposure to astronomy and space science.
The prize distribution and valedictory ceremony, attended by over 850 participants, was held at the J. N. Tata Auditorium, IISc. India’s “Rocket Woman”, Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, presented the winners with Newtonian parabolic mirror telescopes, symbolising scientific curiosity and inspiring young minds to pursue continued exploration and deeper engagement with astronomy and space science.
Eminent Dignitaries on the Dias
The inaugural, academic, and award ceremonies were graced by distinguished scientists, academicians, and science communicators representing India’s space, research, and higher education ecosystem:
- Ritu Karidhal Srivastava – Distinguished Scientist, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO); Former Deputy Mission Director, Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan); Mission Director, Chandrayaan-2; widely known as the “Rocket Woman of India”
- Umamaheswaran R – Distinguished Scientist, ISRO; Former Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), ISRO
- B R Gururaj Prasad – Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru; Former Associate Director (Media & Public Relations), ISRO Headquarters
- N Shaji – Adjunct Faculty, Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT); Former Principal, T. M. Jacob Memorial Government College
- H N Suresh Kumar – Former Deputy Director, U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), ISRO
- Manosh T M – Cosmologist and Science Communicator; PhD Scholar, CUSAT
- Sruthi R T – Relativistic Astrophysicist and Science Communicator
- Sarath Prabhavu – Science Communicator, Writer, and Astrophotographer
- Athul R T – Data Scientist and Researcher
- Saneesh C K – Managing Director, Edu Mithra Intellectual Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Unnimaya E S – Director, Edu Mithra Intellectual Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Methil Komalankutty – Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Edu Mithra – UAE Chapter
Category-wise National Rank Holders
Junior Category (Classes 5–7)
- Rank 1: Amrutanshu Panda – Chhattisgarh
- Rank 2: Astitva Uniyal – Rajasthan
- Rank 3: Aditya Chakravarthula – Telangana
Senior Category (Classes 8–10)
- Rank 1: Sharvin Malkhede – Karnataka
- Rank 2: Mritunjay Ramkumar – Tamil Nadu
- Rank 3: Bhavy Bhartiya – Gujarat
Super Senior Category (Classes 11–12)
- Rank 1: Ryhan Ibn Irshad – Jammu & Kashmir
- Rank 2: Aaditya Mirkar – Maharashtra
- Rank 3: V. Bagyasri – Tamil Nadu
Addressing the students, the dignitaries emphasised the importance of scientific temper, curiosity-driven learning, and early exposure to advanced scientific disciplines. The leadership of Edu Mithra reaffirmed that ISSO is envisioned as a national platform to identify, nurture, and mentor future scientists, engineers, and innovators, while strengthening India’s scientific ecosystem from the school level onward.
The Indian Space Science Olympiad 2025 thus concluded as a landmark academic event, inspiring young learners across the country to look beyond classrooms and explore the vast frontiers of space science, astronomy, and space technology.
