The newly sanctioned Kendriya Vidyalaya at Ramkot in Jammu opened its first academic session with an address by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, who encouraged students, parents and teachers to make full use of the government’s initiatives aimed at nurturing innovation and supporting young scientific talent. His remarks focused on the growing need for early mentorship, structured guidance and exposure to scientific opportunities for school-age children, especially as India expands its research ecosystem and strengthens its innovation capacity. Dr Singh emphasised that the Union government has expanded dedicated programmes through the Ministry of Science and Technology to identify and guide promising young innovators. He urged the audience to recognise how these schemes can influence academic choices and career directions when students begin receiving guidance at an early stage. He noted that schools play a central role in introducing students to innovation, research, science competitions and technology-driven problem-solving, and programmes should be used proactively by teachers and parents. He highlighted the INSPIRE-MANAK initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, a scheme that identifies students aged 10 to 17 with original ideas capable of translation into workable models. Under this scheme, each selected student receives financial support of Rs 10,000, which covers expenses for developing prototypes and encourages students to work on real-world problems through simple scientific applications. Dr Singh explained that schemes like INSPIRE-MANAK help students explore scientific thinking without being restricted by limited resources, and also introduce them to national-level platforms where ideas can be showcased before experts.
Addressing parents present at the inaugural session, the Minister asserted that encouraging creative thinking early in life ensures that students remain confident about pursuing science as a discipline. He stressed that financial support is complemented by mentorship, which is often more important in shaping young minds. Teachers, he said, should act as facilitators by identifying students with potential and guiding them toward these opportunities without hesitation. Dr Singh also drew attention to the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), which supports meritorious students aged 17 to 22 who choose to study basic sciences at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The scheme provides Rs 60,000 per year, including a Rs 20,000 mentorship grant, ensuring that students can focus on academics without financial barriers. He stated that careers in pure sciences remain critical for the country’s scientific progress, and the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship offers young scholars a direct path toward research by connecting them with scientists and laboratories across India. Elaborating on educational opportunities for girls, Dr Singh mentioned the Vigyan Jyoti scheme, which encourages girls from Class IX to XII to pursue education and careers in science and technology. The scheme provides mentoring, exposure visits, interactions with scientists and guidance for higher studies. He said that the government wants young girls, especially those from underrepresented regions, to view STEM fields as natural career paths rather than difficult or inaccessible choices. The scheme, he added, ensures that girls receive support at a stage when career-related decisions start to take shape.
The Minister told the audience that the establishment of the new Kendriya Vidyalaya at Ramkot represents more than an infrastructural milestone. It ensures that students from the area—including children of local residents as well as security personnel posted in the region—receive consistent, uninterrupted and high-quality education aligned with national academic standards. He said that access to such an institution would help students compete confidently on national platforms and benefit from equal opportunities. Dr Singh emphasised that the presence of a Kendriya Vidyalaya brings academic stability to regions where mobility of families, especially those associated with defence and security services, is common. He observed that quality schooling removes uncertainties that often arise from frequent relocations and allows students to maintain continuity in both curriculum and learning environment. He expressed hope that the school would soon become a centre of academic excellence within the district, contributing to overall educational development.
During his visit, the Minister also inspected an art exhibition created by KV Ramkot students. The exhibition showcased themes drawn from central government initiatives such as Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, which promotes tree plantation as part of environmental responsibility. Students also presented artwork on Swachh Bharat and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, highlighting cultural exchange, mutual understanding and unity between different states and Union Territories. Dr Singh appreciated the efforts of the students and teachers, stating that such activities help children engage with national programmes and understand their significance through creative expression. He added that student-driven exhibitions and interactive programmes reflect how schools are evolving into spaces where learning is no longer limited to textbooks. According to him, awareness about government initiatives enhances students’ sense of participation in broader national goals and motivates them to think about their role in shaping society. He encouraged the school administration to continue organising such exhibitions throughout the academic session so that students remain actively engaged.
In his address, Dr Singh reiterated that the Union government has consistently pushed for early identification of scientific talent. He said that supporting schoolchildren with resources and platforms ensures a pipeline of young innovators who can eventually contribute to national research efforts. He urged teachers to maintain updated knowledge about all available schemes so they can guide students effectively. He also suggested that regular orientation sessions for parents could help create a supportive atmosphere at home for young researchers. The Minister mentioned that scientific temperament must be cultivated through practical learning, competitions, workshops and interactions with institutions such as the Indian Space Research Organisation and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. He said students should be encouraged to ask questions, propose solutions and participate in innovation challenges. He pointed out that greater exposure leads to higher confidence, which eventually helps students take up science and technology as careers. He noted that India’s scientific ambitions require a strong base of young minds who are trained, encouraged and mentored from school level. As the country expands its research infrastructure, he said, the need for skilled scientists, researchers and innovators will continue to grow. He remarked that early engagement ensures that students develop clarity about their interests, allowing them to make informed academic choices.
Dr Singh encouraged the Kendriya Vidyalaya Ramkot faculty to establish innovation clubs and science activity groups so students can experiment, create and collaborate. He suggested that inviting local experts, academicians and scientists from regional institutions for interactive sessions would further strengthen the learning environment. He expressed confidence that active participation of teachers would ensure that students from the region have equal access to the same opportunities as their peers across the country. He stated that the government’s focus on school-level innovation aligns with the broader objective of building a future-ready generation. He said that when students learn to approach problems with curiosity and scientific insight, they develop a mindset that benefits them throughout life. He encouraged students to make use of digital tools, online platforms and government-supported learning resources to enhance their understanding of science and technology. Dr Singh concluded by reiterating that the INSPIRE-MANAK, INSPIRE-SHE and Vigyan Jyoti schemes represent significant opportunities for young students and must not remain underutilised. He appealed to parents and teachers to guide children toward these platforms and ensure that no eligible student is left behind due to lack of awareness. He emphasised that early identification and encouragement of talent remains crucial for nurturing the researchers, innovators and scientific leaders of the future.
