The North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) initiated the North East Students' Programme for Awareness, Reach, and Knowledge on Space (NE-SPARKS) to ignite interest in space science among students. This program, announced on December 21, 2024, by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, aims to provide immersive experiences of India's space research.
The program involves visits to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru for 800 talented science students from the eight Northeastern states. The first batch of 99 students visited from April 21 to 24, 2025, engaging with ISRO officials and exploring key facilities.
The NE-SPARKS program, funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and state governments, offers students firsthand insights into satellite operations and deep space communications. Students from Assam, including those from Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kamrup (Metro), and Majuli districts, are now experiencing ISRO facilities. This initiative is designed to inspire young minds and encourage them to pursue STEM fields.