Seemant Parvatiya Janpad Baal Vigyan Mahotsav is an annual state-level science festival organized by Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) for school students of border districts. The fourth edition of the festival was held on 15 and 16 October 2025 at PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Bansu, Jakhdhar in Guptkashi, Rudraprayag, where 238 child scientists from six border districts took part.
The festival gives students of classes 6 to 12 a platform to show their talent in science competitions and builds scientific awareness in remote Himalayan areas. UCOST organizes it every year as part of the state's science popularization work, and details of the next edition for 2026-27 are expected closer to the festival season.
Seemant Parvatiya Janpad Baal Vigyan Mahotsav - Introduction
Seemant Parvatiya Janpad Baal Vigyan Mahotsav is organized by the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) under the Science and Technology Department, Government of Uttarakhand. Students from government or non-government schools in the six border districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh can take part in science competitions through this festival.
The fourth edition for the year 2025-26 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Its theme was climate change adaptation strategies and disaster risk management integration. During the two-day event, 238 child scientists, including 90 boys and 148 girls, discussed topics like climate change, natural water resources and conservation, disaster management, energy conservation, and science and technology.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Seemant Parvatiya Janpad Baal Vigyan Mahotsav |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Uttarakhand |
| Category | Science, IT & Communications |
| Target Beneficiaries | Students |
| Sub Category | Research & Development |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Main Department | Science and Technology |
| Department Running the Scheme | Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) |
| Latest Edition | Fourth edition on 15-16 October 2025 at Guptkashi, Rudraprayag |
Benefits
The festival gives budding child scientists from border hill districts a chance to take part in state-level science competitions. It encourages scientific thinking and provides a practical learning platform for students living in remote areas where such exposure is hard to get. Participants get to present their ideas, interact with experts, and compete with students from other districts.
Eligibility
The festival is open to students studying in schools located in the border districts of Uttarakhand. Check the following points before registering:
- You must be a student of classes 6 to 12.
- You should be studying in a government or non-government school in one of these six border districts: Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Bageshwar, or Pithoragarh.
Application Process
Participation in Seemant Parvatiya Janpad Baal Vigyan Mahotsav happens through a three-level competition process. There is no direct entry to the state-level festival, so you have to start from the block level through your school.
STEP 1 - Register for the block-level science competition through your school. School authorities share the registration details and help you with the required paperwork for the festival.
STEP 2 - Appear for the block-level competition and qualify to move to the district-level round. Students who clear the district round get selected for the state-level Mahotsav.
STEP 3 - Take part in the state-level festival organized by UCOST. The state-level event is held in a border district every year and includes science exhibitions, discussions, and interactions with scientists.
Documents
You need to keep the required documents ready as per the festival rules. Since the festival works through schools, most of the paperwork is handled by school authorities. Check with your school for any district-specific documents needed at the time of registration.
Latest Edition Details
The fourth state-level edition of the festival was held on 15 and 16 October 2025 at PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Bansu, Jakhdhar in Guptkashi, Rudraprayag. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the event and talked with the young scientists. He announced the formation of a border area development council, setting up of innovation centers in border districts, and a grant of ₹50 lakh for development work at the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.
References
The information in this article is based on the following sources:
- Binsar Times - CM inaugurated fourth Seemant Parvatiya Baal Vigyan Mahotsav at Guptkashi
- The Th Pahadi - Fourth edition details and participation figures
FAQ's
Who can participate in this Mahotsav?
Students from class 6 to class 12 studying in government or non-government schools located in the six border districts of Uttarakhand can participate.
Which are the border districts covered under this scheme?
The festival covers six border districts of Uttarakhand: Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh.
When was the latest edition of the festival held?
The fourth edition of the festival was held on 15 and 16 October 2025 at Guptkashi in Rudraprayag. UCOST has not announced the dates for the fifth edition yet.
How is the competition structured?
The competition follows a three-level structure starting from the block level, then moving to the district level, and finally reaching the state level. You move to the next stage after clearing the current one.
What happens at the block level competition?
At the block level, students show their talent in science activities. Winners from this stage qualify for the district-level competition against students from other blocks.
How does this scheme benefit border and remote districts?
The festival brings scientific education and awareness to areas that are hard to reach. For example, a student in a remote village of Pithoragarh gets the same exposure as students in bigger cities, and many are encouraged to take up science careers.
How are participants selected for the Mahotsav?
Selection happens step by step: you participate at the block level, move to the district level if selected, and reach the state-level competitions if you rank high enough.
