Lakshadweep students Sriharikota study tour: 21 island students visit SDSC-SHAR and Chennai science centres

The Lakshadweep students Sriharikota study tour began on May 2, 2026 , when 21 selected students left the islands for a multi-day exposure programme to ISRO and Chennai's science institutions, officials said.

The programme was organised by the Lakshadweep Administration's Department of Science and Technology in association with the Lakshadweep Astronomy Club. Students were chosen after an online aptitude test that assessed astronomy, space science, scientific reasoning, analytical ability and technical awareness.

Lakshadweep students Sriharikota study tour — organisers, selection and timeline

According to a statement from the administration, the study tour is the administration's first scientific educational tour aimed at strengthening STEM learning and research-oriented learning among island students. The selection test was conducted among school students across Lakshadweep.

The team travelled from Lakshadweep on May 2, 2026 , reached mainland India, visited the scheduled centres, returned to Kochi on May 8, 2026 , and departed for Lakshadweep on May 10, 2026 .

Lakshadweep students Sriharikota study tour — visits and learning outcomes

At India's main space launch centre, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), students learned about launch pads, vehicle assembly complexes, propulsion systems, telemetry and satellite technologies. They were introduced to orbital mechanics, cryogenic propulsion, launch vehicle staging, remote sensing satellites and mission sequencing.

Mission Control Centre (MCC) Manager Raghava Kumar M V and SDSC-SHAR Librarian Kumar N met the group and explained the operational importance of Sriharikota, past missions, future plans and mission control operations.

Beyond Sriharikota, the students attended study programmes at the Government Museum Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, and M P Birla Planetarium. They also visited the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), where they interacted with scientists and toured research laboratories.

Officials said the visits were designed to provide direct exposure to modern science and technology activities and to encourage technical awareness and a research mindset among island students.

Immediate student impact and official description

Administration officials described the project as a major milestone for scientific education in the islands. The organisers said the tour offered rare, hands-on exposure to national-level science and technology sectors for students who normally have limited access to such facilities.

No details on funding, student age groups or a long-term follow-up plan were included in the statement.