School students who like tinkering with science ideas now have a fresh chance to turn them into real projects. NCERT has opened the call for applications under PRAYAAS, its research programme for young learners, and each selected project gets a ₹50,000 catalytic grant. The last date to apply is 31 August 2026.
PRAYAAS stands for Promotion of Research Attitude in Young and Aspiring Students. The Department of Education in Science and Mathematics (DESM) at NCERT runs it. The programme is meant to build research aptitude and scientific inquiry among school children by letting them work on their own STEAM projects, that is Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Who can apply to NCERT PRAYAAS 2026-27
Students from classes VIII to XI are eligible. Those picked will carry out research projects with guidance from teachers and from experts drawn out of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). The idea is hands-on, real-world problem solving rather than textbook study.
PRAYAAS programme highlights
- ₹50,000 catalytic grant per project
- Mentorship from HEI experts
- Real-world problem solving through STEM research
- A one-year research programme
Key dates to note
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 31 August 2026 |
| Project commencement | 30 September 2026 |
So the timeline is tight. Interested students should sort out their project idea and apply well before the end of August, because work on the selected projects begins on 30 September 2026.
How to apply
All details and the application link are on the official NCERT page: https://www.ncert.nic.in/desm/pdf/DESM_PRAYAAS-2026-27.pdf. Read the document there for the full instructions before filling in the form.
For context, NCERT is the national body that frames school curriculum, writes textbooks, and supports teacher training across India. Its DESM wing looks after science and mathematics education. A programme like PRAYAAS gives middle and senior school students a taste of structured research early, with a grant and a mentor behind them, something usually reserved for college and beyond. Students in classes 8 to 11 who have a science or maths question they want to chase should mark 31 August 2026 on the calendar and get their application in.