Maharashtra Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Maharashtra Government has launched the Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme to promote scientific thinking, innovation, and research aptitude among students studying in Classes 6 to 8 and Classes 9 to 12 across the state. The initiative has been introduced by the School Education and Sports Department under the guidance of Minister of State for School Education Pankaj Bhoyar and approved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Under the scheme, meritorious students participating in science exhibitions and science project competitions will receive educational exposure visits to renowned scientific institutions including Regional Science Centres, ISRO Bengaluru, and NASA in the United States.

Maharashtra conducts science exhibitions every year at Taluka, District, and State levels where lakhs of students participate with innovative science projects. Through this initiative, the government aims to encourage students from urban, rural, tribal, and Divyang categories to develop greater interest in science, innovation, technology, and space research. The government believes that practical educational exposure and direct interaction with scientific institutions will motivate students more effectively than only providing certificates and cash prizes.

Under the scheme, six students from each of the 358 Talukas of Maharashtra, totaling 2,148 students, will receive opportunities to visit Regional Science Centres located in Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and other nearby centres. Additionally, 180 students selected at the District level will receive educational visits to ISRO Bengaluru, while 51 top-performing students selected at the State-level science exhibition will get an opportunity to visit NASA in the United States.

The Maharashtra Government has approved around Rs. 3.30 crore for the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme. Separate committees will be formed at the Taluka, District, and State levels for effective implementation and student selection under the initiative. The programme has been designed in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to promote experiential learning, creativity, innovation, and scientific curiosity among students.

Along with this initiative, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also promoted scientific learning among rural students through the "Mission Bharari" initiative. Under the programme, 59 students from Zilla Parishad schools in Thane district were selected for an educational visit to ISRO after a multi-stage selection process. The initiative, launched on January 26, 2026, witnessed participation from 9,316 students studying in Classes 5 to 8, out of which 2,007 students were shortlisted at the Taluka level and 478 students qualified for the district-level examination. Through Mission Bharari and the Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme, the Maharashtra Government aims to encourage students from rural and government schools to actively participate in science exhibitions, innovation activities, and advanced scientific learning opportunities.

Scheme Benefits

• The scheme provides educational exposure visits to leading scientific institutions for meritorious students of Maharashtra.
• Selected students will get opportunities to visit Science Centres, ISRO Bengaluru, and NASA in the United States.
• The scheme promotes scientific thinking, innovation, research aptitude, and interest in science among school students.
• Students receive practical learning exposure through interaction with scientific institutions and advanced technologies.
• The government will cover approved travel and educational visit expenses for selected students.

Educational Visits and Selection Details

• Six students from each of the 358 Talukas of Maharashtra will be selected for visits to the Regional Science Centres.
• A total of 2,148 students will receive opportunities to visit Science Centres located in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and nearby centres.
• District-level selected students will receive educational visits to ISRO Bengaluru.
• Around 180 students selected at the District level will benefit from ISRO educational visits every year.
• Top-performing students selected at the State-level science exhibition will receive educational tours to NASA in the United States.
• A total of 51 students will be selected annually for the NASA educational visit.
• Separate committees will be formed at the Taluka, District, and State levels for implementation and student selection.

NASA Visit Student Category-wise

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant should be a student studying in Classes 6 to 8 or Classes 9 to 12 in a recognised school in Maharashtra.
• Students must participate in official science exhibitions or science project competitions organised through schools and the education department.
• Selection is expected to be based on performance in Taluka-level, District-level, and State-level science competitions.
• Students from the General, Tribal, and Divyang categories are expected to benefit under the scheme.
• Students should fulfil travel and documentation requirements for educational visits outside Maharashtra or abroad.

Disclaimer: The Maharashtra Government has not yet released detailed official eligibility guidelines for the Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme. The eligibility information shared here is based on currently available government announcements, science exhibition processes, and public reports. Official eligibility rules may change after the release of detailed operational guidelines by the School Education Department.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card
• School Identity Card
• Passport-size Photograph
• School Bonafide Certificate
• Science Project Details and Competition Documents
• Selection or Recommendation Certificate
• Parent Consent Letter
• Passport and Visa Documents (for NASA educational visit)

Steps to Apply

• The Maharashtra Government has currently announced the Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme through official approvals and public statements.
• Detailed operational guidelines, separate application forms, and official participation procedures have not yet been released by the School Education Department.
• Based on the information currently available, students are expected to participate in the scheme through the existing science exhibition and science project competition process conducted in schools.
• If the Maharashtra Government releases any new instructions, official guidelines, or changes in the participation process in future, the updated details will be updated here.
• Students are expected to participate in science exhibitions and science project competitions organised through their schools.
• Selected projects from school-level competitions may be forwarded to the Taluka-level science exhibitions conducted by the education department.
• Students selected at the Taluka level may become eligible for educational visits to Science Centres and Planetariums.
• District-level selected students may receive opportunities to visit ISRO Bengaluru.
• Top-performing students selected at the State-level science exhibition may become eligible for the NASA educational visit.
• Schools and selected students are expected to receive further instructions from the School Education Department regarding documentation and travel procedures.

Relevant Links

• Maharashtra Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme Application Link is currently unavailable.
• Maharashtra Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme Guidelines are not available.

Contact Information

• Vidyarthi Vigyan Vari Scheme Contact Details are not available.
• Maharashtra Education Department Contact Details