The two day event of Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM), science talent search examination, was successfully conducted at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. This event aimed at identifying and nurturing scientific aptitude among school students from grades VI to XI nationwide was held under the theme "Unveiling Tomorrow's Scientific Geniuses".

The inaugural session started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by a warm welcome address by Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.  In his inaugural remarks, he emphasized the importance of cultivating scientific thinking in young minds.

The Session of the VVM national camp was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and former Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; Shri Vivekanand Pai, General Secretary of Vijnana Bharati,  Government of India; Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur and Prof. J. Ramkumar, Nodal Officer and Dean of Infrastructure and Planning at IIT Kanpur.

Prof. Ashutosh Sharma delivered an inspiring talk emphasising the importance of inculcating self-confidence, self-respect and sense of humor along with scientific inquisitiveness. Dr. Shekhar C. Mande addressed and inspired the students with his valuable insights and narrated interesting aspects about Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose being polymath and highlighted the significance of interdisciplinary research in science. Regarding the event, Prof. J. Ramkumar stated, "This program aims to promote science and Indian scientists. We want to tell this generation to look beyond the best and appreciate the people who have excelled with limited resources”.

A special moment of the day was the release of the book "Satyendra Nath Bose: Father of Bosons," which pays tribute to the legendary Indian physicist. This book will be part of the VVM Academic Session 2025-26 curriculum.

Participants also received an overview of the National Quantum Mission (NQM), in the keynote address delivered by Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, enlightening the young participants about the mission's objectives and significance. Through an engaging and interactive presentation, he introduced the children to the fascinating world of quantum technology, highlighting its potential to transform various aspects of life and drive innovation in India.

Dr. Brajesh Pandey, executive director of INSA and controller of examinations at VVM, shared instructions and future guidelines for students followed by which evaluations were carried out. A wholistic approach that in addition to written teat was used in evaluating students in 10 dimensions, including experiential learning by conducting experiments and creative thinking, communication, and demonstrating repeatability and so on.

Several parallel lectures were organized for the participants on interesting topics such as sustainability, Indian Knowledge System, National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) and SATHEE initiatives.

The second day of the Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, was chaired by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. He highlighted how mission-mode initiatives and the National Education Policy are transforming science education and reminded students that science must be inclusive, bold, and driven by questions.

The event was also graced by Prof. Sunil Mishra, General Secretary of Vigyan Bharti, and Dr. Arvind Ranade, Director of the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), among others. Their presence and motivational messages further fuelled the participants' passion for science and innovation.

The students who participated in the national-level examination held at the IIT Kanpur campus shared their experiences, highlighting their unique opportunities to engage with cutting-edge research facilities and interact with renowned scientists. Their enthusiasm and excitement were palpable as they recounted their experiences, from hands-on experiments to thought-provoking discussions.

The event culminated in a prize distribution ceremony, where students who excelled in the national-level examination were felicitated. This ceremony served as a testament to the students' hard work and dedication, motivating them to continue exploring the wonders of science.

Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) is a three-stage national-level Talent search examination, where a student is holistically evaluated based on many NEP parameters. Students from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andaman Nicobar Islands, and the Northeast states. The examination was conducted in 14 Indian languages. Out of 1.5 lakhs students who participated in the examination, 450 national winners were selected for the residential camp.  Apart from these, 18 Himalayan Fellows were identified.  All the selected Himalayan Fellows had a special interactive session with Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur which further inspired the students to pursue science.

The participants and the parents left the campus happy and motivated looking forward to more such events.

Through its examinations, workshops, and mentorship programs, VVM continues to ignite scientific passion in students across India, uniting traditional knowledge with modern science to shape the innovators of tomorrow. It is a national initiative by Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) in collaboration with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under the Ministries of Education and Culture, Government of India. The program seeks to popularize science, highlight India's contributions to science and technology, and inspire the next generation of innovators.