Bhubaneswar: The 19th edition of the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS), organised by Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, under Odisha Science & Technology Department, was formally launched by Shri Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology, here on Thursday.
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.
Patra said, “The theme for this edition of YATS 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 Science & Technology department secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia, additional secretaries, Sibani Mohanty and Puja Mishra, and FA additional secretary Bidyut Prabha Rout.
Ms. Urmiprava Maharana, Deputy Secretary, Government of Odisha and Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Chinmayee Chetana Das, Deputy Secretary, Science & Technology Department and Debasish Jena, Chief Resident Executive, Tata Steel, were also present on the occasion.
Debasish Jena highlighted Tata Steel’s commitment to making YATS more inclusive and accessible for the students of Odisha by expanding participation through both physical and virtual formats. He reaffirmed the company’s dedication to inspiring young talent and nurturing a deep interest in space science.
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 annivers ary 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.
