ISRO Announces Free Online Training Program for Postgraduate and Undergraduate Students, Certificates to be Given

ISRO has announced a new online training program for postgraduate and final year undergraduate students of physical sciences and technology. The program, called Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START), will be delivered by scientists from Indian academia and centres of the Indian Space Research Organisations. 

START is basically an introductory level online training in space science and technology, which is being offered by the Science Programme Office, ISRO HQ in association with Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), ISRO, Dehradun. The primary goal of the training program is to entice young individuals to pursue careers in the domains of space science and technology.

Who Can Apply for ISRO Online Training Program?

Post-graduate students and final year under graduate students studying in Indian educational institutes, universities or colleges from the following streams would be considered to take part in the training program:

• Physical sciences such as physics and chemistry.
• Technology streams.
• Electronics.
• Computer science.
• Mechanical.
• Applied physics.
• Radiophysics.
• Optics and opto-electronics.
• Instrumentation and other associated subjects.

What Will Be Covered under the ISRO Online Training Program?

The training modules will consist of introductory-level subjects covering various verticals within the realm of space science and technology such as:

• Astronomy.
• Planetary science.
• Heliophysics.
• Atmospheric science.
• Microgravity related studies and space technology.

Important Details of the ISRO Training Program

The training is likely to be conducted around June or July 2023, and the session would be around 2 to 3 hours long and selected candidates will get to attend the session for around 3 weeks. Certificates will be given to candidates who fulfil the following criteria:

• Minimum 70% of attendance in the live online session is needed to appear in the online examination.
• Success criteria for the examination is 50% marks or above.
• Candidates obtaining both the requirements will be provided merit certificate.

How to Enroll for the ISRO Training Program?

For Indian educational institutions, universities, and colleges to participate in the ISRO START program, they must register their institute on the official website and attach a relevant nomination letter from the Head of the Institute designating a senior faculty member as the coordinator.

ISRO will then assess and grant approval to all registered institutes for their eligibility as an ISRO START nodal centre, based on the information provided by them. Upon approval, these nodal centres will receive login credentials for ISRO E-CLASS Coordinator Management System (CMS).

Participants associated with the approved nodal centres will then be able to register for the START programme on the ISRO website, by selecting their respective institute as the ISRO START nodal centre before 20 May.