New Delhi :The India youth innovation is taking a leap as students increasingly move beyond conventional courses to explore cutting-edge fields such as Earth Sciences, Biotechnology, Space Technology, and start-up-led self-employment, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for the Indian student team that excelled at the 18th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO-2025) in Jining, China, Dr Singh credited the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) for this shift. “The NEP-2020 has unleashed the creative potential of young minds by freeing them from rigid subject streams and encouraging exploration of diverse disciplines,” he said.
Team India won seven medals—one Gold, four Silver, and two Bronze—along with the 3rd Prize in the International Geoscience Youth Movement Reporter category. Winners hailed from Punjab, Rajasthan, and Delhi, guided by mentors Prof. Devesh Walia and Prof. Hema Achyuthan, with Dr Jagvir Singh as observer.
Dr Singh praised their achievements, noting that the success reflects the aspirational spirit of youth, particularly from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. He urged students to leverage initiatives like Vigyan Jyoti, scholarships, fellowships, and research grants to scale their ideas and contribute to society, emphasizing real-world application over competitions.
Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, explained that India’s IESO team is selected through the Indian National Earth Science Olympiad, conducted at over 300 centres nationwide. Out of nearly 30 shortlisted students, four represent India at the international level. He noted that India’s performance at IESO has steadily improved in recent years.
Started in 2003, the International Earth Science Olympiad brings together school students globally to test their knowledge in Earth Sciences. India has participated since 2007 and hosted the 10th edition in Mysore in 2013.
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