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ISRO-backed space lab to open at Mahoba village school

The Shri Nilesh M Desai Space Lab is the first of 40 Rural Space Labs planned across government schools in Mahoba under the Village Vaigyanik Karyakram, driven by ISRO Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad.

Published on: Feb 15, 2026, 04:32:03 IST
By , LUCKNOW
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A state-of-the-art space laboratory will be inaugurated on Monday at a government school in Ratauli Gram Panchayat, Mahoba district, marking the launch of an ambitious program to bring advanced science education to rural students.

The project, implemented in collaboration with ISRO Space Applications Centre (SAC-Ahmedabad) under the Village Vaigyanik Karyakram (Sourced)
The project, implemented in collaboration with ISRO Space Applications Centre (SAC-Ahmedabad) under the Village Vaigyanik Karyakram (Sourced)

The Shri Nilesh M Desai Space Lab is the first of 40 Rural Space Labs planned across government schools in Mahoba under the Village Vaigyanik Karyakram, driven by ISRO Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad.

The project, implemented in collaboration with ISRO Space Applications Centre (SAC-Ahmedabad) under the Village Vaigyanik Karyakram, will directly benefit more than 10,000 government school students and over 500 teachers, according to district magistrate Gazal Bharadwaj.

The space labs will provide training in space science, satellite applications, the Indian Space Program, artificial intelligence, robotics, drone technology and other emerging technologies.

Each lab features working telescopes, 3D printers, ISRO mission model exhibits, robots, drones and STEM-based experimental setups. Students and teachers will receive hands-on training supported by a one-year structured curriculum and annual assessments to monitor learning outcomes.

“The initiative represents a step towards bridging the urban-rural education gap and inspiring rural students to explore careers in science, technology and space research,” district administration officials said.

Basic Shiksha Adhikari Rahul Mishra said the program is being viewed as a replicable model for ISRO-supported science education across rural India. The district has 840 government primary and upper primary schools.

Both students and teachers will receive hands-on training supported by a one-year structured curriculum and annual assessments to monitor learning outcomes and skill development, said a representative of Vyomika Foundation, Lucknow.

  • Rajeev Mullick
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Rajeev Mullick

    Rajeev Mullick, Assistant Editor, is a Lucknow-based journalist with over 26 years of experience covering governance, public policy and administration in Uttar Pradesh. His reporting focuses on the district administration, the Divisional Commissioner's Office, the Regional Meteorological Centre, and government policies relating to technical, higher, secondary and primary education. Known for impactful public-interest journalism, his investigations have led to significant policy attention, including a report on deficiencies in a state-run school footwear distribution scheme that prompted widespread national coverage and High Court intervention. He broke the story on the Uttar Pradesh government's One District One Cuisine initiative, highlighting the inclusion of sweets and the exclusion of non-vegetarian dishes, triggering widespread public debate. He covered Mahakumbh 2025 at Prayagraj, reports on the event's administrative, logistical and civic dimensions. From 2012 to 2024, he headed the Lucknow City Bureau, leading coverage of the state's administrative and civic developments while mentoring young reporters. He loves to travel, listen to music. He is fond of eating good food both veg and non veg. He has travelled to several states like West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Family Nadu, Kerela, Bihar, Jharkhand and home state UP.Read More