19th Edition of Young Astronomer Talent Search Launched

Organised by Tata Steel in association with Pathani Samanta Planetarium under the Science & Technology Department

Theme of the edition: “Stargazer Today, Gagannaut Tomorrow,” aligning with India’s Gaganyaan project

Bhubaneswar, Aug 2025 : The 19th edition of the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS), organised by Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, under the Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, was formally launched at Lokseva Bhawan by Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology department.

YATS provides a unique platform for students of classes 6 to 10 across Odisha to showcase their interest and aptitude in space science, astrophysics and astronomy, while celebrating the legacy of legendary Odia astronomer Pathani Samanta.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Patra said, “The next edition of YATS is launched today, and the theme for this year is “Stargazer Today, Gagannaut Tomorrow.” Competitions will be held at the school and district levels, and winners will be invited to Pathani Samnata Planetarium, Bhubaneswar on December 13 for the Grand Finale. Thirty winners from across the state will have the extraordinary opportunity to visit the Indian Space Research Organisation facility in Bengaluru and interact with the scientists.”

The launch event was graced by Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department and in charge of Principal Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha, Smt. Sibani Mohanty and Puja Mishra, Additional Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Bidyut Prabha Rout, FA-Cum-Additional Secretary, Smt. Urmiprava Maharana, Deputy Secretary, Government of Odisha and Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Chinmayee Chetana Das , Deputy Secretary, Science & Technology Department and Shri Debasish Jena, Chief Resident Executive, Tata Steel, were also present on the occasion.

The students can participate in YATS either at their schools or online via the YATS website by registering on the portal. The 2025 edition will have the theme “Stargazer Today, Gagannaut Tomorrow” in alignment with India’s cherished Gaganyaan project that would showcase the human spaceflight capability of the country. It will feature an open quiz for students of classes 6–8, and a multiple-choice question (MCQ) test for students of classes 9–10. District-level winners will be invited to the grand finale at Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, on December 13, 2025, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahamahopadhyaya Chandrasekhara Singha Harichandana Mahapatra Samanta, fondly known as Pathani Samanta.

For 18 years, YATS has been igniting curiosity among Odisha’s school children about the mysteries of the universe. Winners of the 18th edition visited Indian Space Research Organisation’s Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) and the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru in May 2025. Since inception, YATS has reached more than 4.71 lakh students across Odisha and 230 selected winners have had the unique opportunity to witness India’s stride in space research by visiting various ISRO centres.