Imagine being a student, walking through the halls of one of India’s premier scientific labs, speaking with real scientists, handling instruments, and watching discoveries unfold right in front of your eyes.
That dream came true for over 14,000 students across India from 21–25 July 2025, thanks to CSIR’s ‘One Day As a Scientist’ initiative—launched under the CSIR‑Jigyasa program in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inspiring call during Mann Ki Baat (23 Feb 2025).
🔬 What the Initiative Offered
Across 37 CSIR labs, students were welcomed as young scientists for a day:
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Participating in hands-on experiments,
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Touring advanced research facilities,
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Engaging in thought-provoking discussions with top Indian researchers,
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And discovering how science directly impacts the world around them.
At CSIR‑NEERI Nagpur, Dr Vinay K. Nandicoori (Director, CSIR-CCMB) shared his journey battling antimicrobial resistance. Dr S. Venkata Mohan, Director of NEERI, energized 90 students from Maharashtra and Telangana.
In Jammu, over 500 students from J&K and Ladakh engaged with scientists at CSIR-IIIM, under the dynamic coordination of Dr Asha Chaubey, Dr Vidhushi Abrol, and Poonam Choudhary.
👏 Saluting the Champions Behind the Scenes
Such a massive, inspiring initiative couldn’t have been possible without the vision and effort of committed leaders:
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Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam and the CSIR‑HRDG team provided overarching guidance and execution excellence.
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Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister and Vice President of CSIR, closed the week with an inspiring address from CSIR‑NPL in Delhi. He called for broadening the program to include teachers, parents, and industry mentors—proposing a “One Day as a Teacher” concept and real-world student-industry innovation collaborations.
Their dedication helped take this program from vision to reality.
🚀 Beyond a Day – Toward a Movement
One of the most inspiring outcomes of the week was the EPIC Hackathon, where students like Japteg Bamrah from Pathankot presented innovations such as a solar-powered Stirling engine for cooking. These projects are now being connected with CSIR mentorship and industry support.
This initiative also strongly aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, promoting curiosity-driven, inquiry-based learning and empowering students to dream boldly and think scientifically.
💡 Final Thoughts
"One Day As a Scientist" was not just about lab coats and microscopes—it was about igniting a fire in the hearts of young minds. Thanks to CSIR’s foresight and passionate execution, thousands of students have now glimpsed what’s possible in science—and for many, it may be the start of something life-changing.
Let’s celebrate and support efforts like these that don’t just teach science but make science come alive.
References for the above:
1) https://jigyasa-csir.in/ods-2025/
2) https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2148329
