National Children's Science Congress (NCSC)
National science project platform
Nationwide science project competition for children aged 10-17, focusing on local problem-solving under an annual focal theme, progressing through district, state, and national rounds.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Participation format
Team
Teams of 2 to 5
Duration
The project work typically spans two to three months, followed by presentations at various competitive levels.
Time needed
Depends on the time taken to make the entry
Eligibility
The National Children's Science Congress is open to Indian children aged 10 to 17 years (grades 5-12), as of December 31st of the participation year. Participants must form project groups with a guide and align their projects with the annual focal theme. This opportunity is available nationwide for both formal school and out-of-school children.
- Grade level
- Grade 5 to 12
- Age range
- 10 to 17 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Prerequisites
- Age determined as of 31 December of the calendar year of participation
- Junior group: 10 to 14 years; Senior group: 14+ to 17 years
- Open to children from formal schools and out-of-school children, including those from marginalised communities
- Each project group requires a guide with scientific aptitude (need not be a school teacher; cannot be a direct relative)
- Project must be developed on the announced focal theme or one of the declared sub-themes
- Group leader who has previously presented at the national level may participate only as a co-worker in subsequent years within the same age group
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Certificate
Certificates of Participation and Achievement
Certificates are awarded at district, state, and national levels for participation and achievement in the science congress.
Opens doors to
Top projects are recommended for further fellowships, research programs, and direct entry routes to prestigious science fairs like INTEL Science and Technology Discovery Fairs, significantly boosting higher education prospects.
Career pathways
Opportunities for advanced research fellowships and participation in scientific programs, laying a strong foundation for future careers in science and technology.
Recognition
Pathway to research fellowships
Skills your child builds
How to apply
- 1Form a project group of children of the same age category with a guide
- 2Select a local problem under the focal theme or a sub-theme
- 3Carry out survey or experimental work over two to three months
- 4Register and present the project at district level through the state coordinating agency
- 5Selected projects advance to state level and then to the National Children's Science Congress
Rules and guidelines
- Group size of two children is the standard team format; some implementing agencies allow up to five
- Parents of participating children cannot serve on organising committees at any level during the year of participation
- Project must address a local societal problem using scientific methods, not be limited to model-making
About this opportunity
The National Children's Science Congress (NCSC) is a nationwide science communication program by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology. It offers a unique platform for children aged 10 to 17 to creatively address local societal problems using scientific methods, fostering a spirit of inquiry and innovation.
Open to children from both formal schools and out-of-school settings across India, participants form small project groups under a guide, focusing on an annual focal theme like 'Science and Innovation for Sustainability'. Projects advance through district, state, and national levels, providing significant recognition, skill development, and pathways to advanced research programs and prestigious science fairs.
Rounds and format
Projects first undergo selection at the school level, then advance to district-level competitions. Successful projects proceed to the state level, with top entries from each state qualifying for the National Children's Science Congress.
How entries are judged
Originality and local relevance of the chosen problem; Application of scientific method including survey or experiment; Quality of data analysis and findings; Presentation and communication of results.
Selection process
Projects are selected based on their scientific merit, originality, and relevance to the focal theme at each competitive level (school, district, state) to advance to the next stage, culminating in the national event.
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
The program encourages self-directed learning and research aligned with an annual focal theme and sub-themes, promoting experiential learning and application of scientific principles to real-world problems.
Frequently asked questions
How do students choose a topic for their NCSC project?
Students should pick a local problem they observe in their community that aligns with the announced focal theme or one of the declared sub-themes. Working with a guide helps refine the topic into a researchable question with a clear scientific approach.
What kind of guide can supervise an NCSC project team?
Guides must have scientific aptitude but need not be a school teacher. They cannot be direct relatives of any participating child. Guides help students plan investigations, analyse data and present findings.
How do students register for the National Children's Science Congress?
Registration is coordinated through the state coordinating agency listed on the official NCSC website. Project teams typically register at the district level first, and selected projects advance through state and national rounds.
What happens to projects selected at the national level?
Top national-level projects may be recommended for fellowships, research programmes and the Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan held alongside the Indian Science Congress. Outstanding projects may receive direct entry to INTEL Science and Technology Discovery Fairs.
Are out-of-school children eligible to participate?
Yes, NCSC is open to both formal school students and out-of-school children, including those from marginalised communities, as long as they fall within the age range of 10 to 17 years.
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Organization
National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology
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