Introduction Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) opens up opportunity for Indian academic institutes to register for the fourth edition of Space science and Technology AwaReness Training (START) 2026 programme with the theme ‘Observation from Space’ to be held during March-April 2026. ISRO has an active space science programme that covers various domains of space science research including Planetary Science and Exploration, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Heliophysics / Sun-Earth Interaction, Atmospheric Science, and also research driven by Microgravity platforms arising as part of the new human space programme. Under the expanding programs in space sciences, ISRO encourages greater participation from academia, for generating human resources in space science and technology, expanding the user base of the space exploration mission data, and fostering an ecosystem to facilitate active participation of the students in space science and technology research. In view of this, the Science Programme Office, ISRO HQ in association with Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), ISRO, Dehradun plans to conduct the fourth edition of Space science and Technology Awareness Training programme (START 2026). START is an introductory level online training in space science and technology for the under-graduate and post-graduate students of science and technology. In this connection, ISRO solicits Expression of Interest to host Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) - 2026 in educational institutes / Universities / Colleges within India who are offering UG /PG courses in physical sciences and technology. Objectives The main objective of the training programme is to attract the youngsters to the fields of space science and technology. The training modules will comprise introductory level topics on various verticals of space science and technology. In addition to these, there will be sessions on Indian space exploration programme and research opportunities. Training Programme And Opportunities The online training is tentatively scheduled to be conducted during March 2026. The training programme is about 2-3 hrs / day for a duration of 2 – 3 weeks. An online examination would be conducted at the end of START online lectures to those students who have registered through the host institute. The toppers of the examination would be provided an opportunity to participate in the ISRO-START Capacity Building Workshop, an in-person hands-on training to be organized at IIRS, Dehradun as part of the concluding session of START. The toppers of the training programme would also be provided an opportunity to participate in the student session of National Space Science Symposium (NSSS) being conducted by ISRO/DOS in every alternate year. Eligibility Of Candidates Postgraduate students and final year under graduate students of physical sciences (Physics and Chemistry) and technology (e.g. Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical, Applied Physics, Radiophysics, Optics & Opto-electronics, Instrumentation, Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Astrobiology and other associated subjects) studying in educational institutes/Universities/Colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training. Certificate To Participants: Important Criteria Minimum 70% of attendance in the live online session is needed to appear in the online examination. They are eligible for attendance certificate. Success criteria for the examination is 50% marks or above. Successful candidates will be provided merit certificate. Requirements From The Host Institute Selection of the candidates: The host institutes/ nodal centres need to select eligible candidates, who have registered through the portal and are studying in the host institute or nearby institutes, depending on their eligibility, aptitude, merit/academic performance. The host institute needs to send the list of selected students in the prescribed to IIRS. Lecture hall / auditorium facility: The host institute needs to be equipped with a lecture hall / auditorium, with internet connectivity and projection facility. The lectures will be streamed through internet in a suitable videoconferencing platform. ISRO/DoS will share the link of the online training programme with the institutes. EOI By Nodal Centre/ Host Institute - How To Submit Those Indian Educational Institutions / Universities / Colleges who would like to host ISRO START programme need to register their Institute in the website by providing relevant information and uploading a nomination form in the prescribed format as provided in Annexure-1 from Head of the Institute identifying a senior faculty as a coordinator. The coordinator has to provide details of the facilities available at the institute to host the ISRO START. Last Date For Submission Of EOI Through online by institutes/ colleges/ Universities for hosting START 2026 is 13th February 2026. Link For Nodal Centre/ Host Institute For Submitting The Expression Of Interest https://jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/START Approved host institutes will get their login credentials for ISRO E-CLASS Coordinator Management System (CMS). Fee There is no fee involved for the participants in START programme. Registration Of Students Studying In Host Institutes (Colleges / Universities / Institutes) START Co-ordinator of the approved host institute approve the registration of the eligible students of their institute. Registration link for the students of the host institute as well as for other individuals: https://elearning.iirs.gov.in/edusatregistration/student. All the approved students will also get their login credentials for ISRO E-CLASS Learning Management System (LMS). The coordinator will facilitate the live classes in his/her Institute where all the approved students will join the session in a group. However, ISRO E-CLASS platform will also allow the participants to join the live session with an Individual login. At the end of each session, the attendance of each participant will be submitted by the coordinator through E-CLASS CMS. The participants attaining minimum 70% attendance in live sessions will be eligible for online examination. The online examination will be conducted through ISRO E-CLASS LMS in a scheduled date and time. The online examination will be conducted under close supervision of coordinator of START. Important Dates Deadline for student's registration: 28th February 2026 Responsibility Of Institutes For Hosting Online Training Identify a Co-ordinator for the START who will be the primary Point of Contact (POC) related to the training programme Select suitable candidates for the training programme. Providing necessary logistic support to the students to attend the programme. Monitoring of the student's active participation in the training programme, submitting the attendance of the candidates in every session and supervise them during the conduct of online test. Host Institutes selected for hosting the online training programme will be intimated the details of training. After successful completion of the programme, certificate of appreciation and recognition will be issued to the host institute / nodal centre and the co-ordinator of the institute. Opportunity For Individuals Who Are Unable To Register Through Host Institute Those individuals who are not eligible register through the nodal centres in terms of not meeting the academic background / not an ongoing student in the nodal centre/ host institute can also register as a participant through the individual category. Participation certificate would be provided to the eligible candidates of this category based on their active participation in the online training programme. Link for registering individual category: https://elearning.iirs.gov.in/edusatregistration/student For more details and updates, visit https://jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/START Source: https://jigyasa.iirs.gov.in/START