The Department of Health Research - Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) successfully concluded the second edition of ICMR-SHINE (Science & Health Innovation for the Nextgen Explorers) on 11–12 August 2026, bringing the world of biomedical and public health research closer to school students across the country. Taking forward the Prime Minister’s call to “spend a day as a scientist,” the nationwide outreach program opened the doors of ICMR laboratories to students of Classes 9 to 12, giving them an opportunity to see, experience, and interact directly with the science behind public health.

The initiative spanned 31 States and Union Territories across 83 unique locations, stretching far beyond major metropolitan centers into the quiet valleys and remote terrains of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Andamans and rural regions of Jharkand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. For thousands of students who had never experienced research environment, ICMR-SHINE offered a welcoming bridge into the world of biomedical inquiry. Guided by Dr Curio, the friendly official mascot featured across interactive videos, posters, and cut-outs, the atmosphere was designed to make complex science feel inviting, accessible, and fun.

In Nagpur and Gorakhpur, students stepped near state-of-the-art Mobile BSL-3 laboratories on wheels, witnessing firsthand how high-containment research travels directly to field situations. In other centers, young visitors took part in lively poster walks, live scientific demonstrations, and practical exercises on body mass index calculation and lab hygiene, learning how everyday health decisions connect to the broader picture of national public health. In Delhi, the spirit of youth innovation was on full display as students showcased creative solutions developed through Atal Tinkering Labs under NITI Aayog, proving that great scientific ideas have no age limit. 

As a part of this initiative, ICMR launched the official SHINE website (https://shine.icmr.org.in/), providing students with access to resources, program updates and opportunities related to health research. ICMR has also announced a nationwide SHINE school competition, inviting students to identify real-world public health challenges, frame research questions and propose potential solutions. The competition will take the idea of “spending a day as a scientist” a step further by encouraging students to look at the health challenges around them through the lens of scientific inquiry and innovation. Applications are open until 11 September 2026 and can be submitted on the SHINE portal.

The initiative received an encouraging response from participating schools across the country. Teachers welcomed the program for giving students valuable exposure to scientific research and laboratory work beyond the classroom, and suggested that it be held more frequently. The school competition also generated enthusiasm, with one participating school announcing that all its students would take part, with submissions counting towards their internal project assessment during school examination.

Through ICMR-SHINE, thousands of students have moved from simply learning about science to seeing it, experiencing it and asking questions about it. By taking research experiences beyond conventional centers and into schools and field locations across the country, the program is creating opportunities for young minds, regardless of where they live, to encounter science firsthand. ICMR is helping young students develop a scientific outlook, encouraging them to explore science, pursue innovation, and play a role in building a Swasth and Viksit Bharat.

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SR/GS