CANSAT India 2024-25: India's Largest Student Space Challenge to Be Held in Kushinagar This October

CANSAT India Student Competition 2024-25: Over 600 Students to Compete in Kushinagar for India’s Biggest Space Challenge

For the first time ever, the CANSAT India Student Competition 2024-25 will take place in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, bringing together the brightest young minds from across the country. The event, jointly organized by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre), and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), will run from October 27 to October 30, 2025, on the banks of the Narayani River in Tamkuhiraj.

This four-day event marks one of India’s largest student-led space science competitions, aimed at nurturing innovation, technical skills, and teamwork among the nation’s future space professionals.

600 Students, 120 Mentors, and 71 Teams to Participate

Out of an incredible 73,000 applicants, 71 student teams have made it to the grand finale — comprising nearly 600 students and 120 mentors from various educational institutions across India.

• 36 teams will compete in the CANSAT category, where students design and launch miniature satellites.

• 35 teams will take part in the Model Rocketry category, which involves building and launching small-scale rockets.

During the event, students will launch 71 model rockets reaching heights of up to 1.5 kilometers, simulating real-world aerospace missions.

Astronauts to Grace the Event

According to Shashank Mani, Member of Parliament from Deoria, this competition is part of the ‘Amrit Prayas’ 10-year vision strategy aimed at fostering scientific curiosity in rural India. The event site in Kushinagar is one of the most underdeveloped areas of the constituency, and hosting this national-level competition there is expected to bring new opportunities for the region.

Notably, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be the special guest on October 30, and India’s first astronaut Rakesh Sharma has also been invited to attend. Their presence is expected to inspire thousands of young participants and promote India’s growing footprint in space technology.

A Step Toward Building India’s Future Space Workforce

This competition aligns with the Government of India’s ambitious goal of developing a $44 billion self-reliant space economy by 2033. It serves as a practical learning platform, encouraging students to engage deeply with space technology, payload design, mission planning, and aerospace systems — key skills required in the global space sector.

The initiative also aims to inspire students to become part of India’s expanding space ecosystem, contributing to innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.

To promote science outreach, ISRO and IN-SPACe have already conducted several programs across seven districts in Uttar Pradesh — including Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Jaunpur, Bahraich, Bulandshahr, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. These include creative contests such as “Art-in-Space” and “Space Quiz 20:20”, which attracted thousands of young participants.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director of the Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe and Executive Secretary of ASI, said,

“This competition encourages students to connect with space technology at an early stage. By giving them opportunities to solve real-world challenges, we are building a foundation for India’s future scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will contribute to our rapidly growing space economy.”

The CANSAT India Competition reflects India’s commitment to cultivating a strong, technically skilled workforce ready to lead the global space industry. With active involvement from ISRO and IN-SPACe, the event not only fuels scientific curiosity but also strengthens the bridge between academic learning and industrial innovation.