IN-SPACe and ISRO Begin India’s First National Student Rocketry Challenge

India has taken another big step in the world of space. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), along with ISRO, has started the first-ever National Student Rocketry Competition. The aim is simple — to help students learn, design, and launch their own rockets, and to give them a real taste of space technology.

This competition is a part of India’s growing vision to make students active participants in the country’s space future. It’s not just about theory anymore; it’s about building, experimenting, and launching.

What the competition is all about

In this challenge, students from engineering colleges and universities across India will design, build, and launch small model rockets. Each team has to make a rocket that can reach a certain height and carry a small scientific payload (also called a CANSAT).

Their performance will be judged on:

• How well the rocket is designed
• How high and stable it can go
• The working of the payload
• Data recording and analysis after launch
• Safety and teamwork during the process

Why IN-SPACe and ISRO started this

As we know, India is already becoming a global name in space. With missions like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and the upcoming Gaganyaan, the country needs young minds who understand rockets, propulsion, and space systems deeply.

This competition will:

1. Encourage students to explore rocket science practically.
2. Give them a chance to work under real ISRO-style guidance.
3. Build interest in aerospace engineering and space startups.
4. Create a bridge between students, scientists, and private space companies.

Support from IN-SPACe and ISRO

Both organisations are providing full support.
Students will get access to:

• Launch and test facilities
• Technical training sessions
• Expert mentoring by ISRO scientists
• Help in safety testing and payload design

The main goal is to make students feel confident in applying their classroom knowledge to real rockets.

How this helps India’s future in space

1. It prepares the next generation of rocket engineers and space scientists.
2. It builds a strong research culture in Indian colleges.
3. It connects young talent with India’s growing private space sector.
4. It spreads awareness about how exciting and practical space studies can be.

India’s dream of reaching Mars again, building its own space station, and training astronauts will need exactly this kind of fresh talent.

What’s next

The grand finale of the competition is being hosted in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, with more than 600 students from different parts of India. This is just the beginning — in the coming years, IN-SPACe plans to make it a yearly national event.