India’s space agency is once again opening its knowledge base to the public. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the fourth edition of its Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (ISRO START 2026) programme on March 11, offering free online sessions delivered by scientists and experts from across the country.
The programme is aimed at students, researchers, educators and professionals interested in space science and related technologies. While the training itself is free, participants must complete registration through the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) e-learning portal before the programme begins.
For thousands of learners across India, START has become one of the most accessible ways to gain direct exposure to the scientific and technological foundations of the country’s space programme.
A Training Programme, Not Just a Webinar Series
START, which stands for Space Science and Technology Awareness Training, is structured as a multi-week educational initiative rather than a standalone webinar series.
The programme is designed to bridge the gap between India’s growing space ambitions and broader public understanding of the science behind them. Through lectures delivered by subject experts, participants are introduced to key topics ranging from satellite technology and remote sensing to planetary science and space weather.
The training is conducted through India’s EDUSAT satellite education network, allowing participants from across the country to attend the sessions online. The initiative is administered by the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), an institution under the Department of Space that has long specialised in satellite-based education and outreach.
In recent years, programmes like START have gained increasing relevance as India expands its presence in space exploration through missions such as Chandrayaan-3, the Aditya-L1 solar mission and the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
ISRO START 2026: Programme Details
Inauguration: March 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM IST
Programme Duration: March 11 — April 2, 2026
Daily Timing: 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM IST (inauguration day: 3:00 – 4:30 PM)
Inaugurated By: Dr V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO / Secretary, DoS
Live Stream: youtube.com/live/vxusHltqyd8
Registration Portal: elearning.iirs.gov.in/edusatregistration/
Cost: Free
Inaugural Session on March 11
The programme will be formally inaugurated by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space. The inaugural session will begin at 3:00 PM IST on March 11 and continue until 4:30 PM, slightly earlier than the regular schedule followed during the rest of the programme.
ISRO has made the opening event accessible to the public through a live stream on YouTube. Anyone interested in the programme can watch the inaugural session at youtube.com/live/vxusHltqyd8 even without completing registration.
From March 12 onward, regular sessions will run daily from 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM IST until April 2, giving participants nearly three weeks of lectures and discussions led by scientists and subject experts.
Who the Programme Is For
START 2026 is primarily targeted at university students, faculty members, research scholars and professionals interested in areas related to space science and technology.
Earlier editions of the programme have covered a broad range of subjects including satellite communication, remote sensing applications, planetary science, atmospheric research and space weather studies. The lectures are designed to offer meaningful academic exposure rather than introductory overviews.
As the programme is free and open to a wide audience, demand often exceeds expectations. Registration is handled through the IIRS EDUSAT e-learning portal, and interested participants are encouraged to complete the process early.
The registration link is available at elearning.iirs.gov.in/edusatregistration/.
Registered participants generally receive full access to the lecture series and related learning resources. In many cases, certificates are also issued to participants who complete the programme requirements.
Growing Interest in START
Previous editions of START have attracted thousands of participants from universities and institutions across India. The programme has steadily expanded its reach, drawing interest from students in engineering, physical sciences, geosciences and other related disciplines.
For many participants, the lectures serve as an introduction to specialised areas within space science and satellite technology. Educators and faculty members have also used the sessions as supplementary material for classroom teaching.
With START 2026 marking the fourth edition of the programme, the curriculum is expected to reflect feedback from earlier participants while continuing to expand the scope of topics covered.
For newcomers, the programme provides a structured overview of how India’s space programme approaches scientific research, mission planning and technological development.
A Broader Push for Science Outreach
START 2026 is part of a wider effort by ISRO to strengthen science communication and public engagement.
As the country’s space missions gain international visibility, the agency has increasingly focused on educational initiatives that introduce young learners to the scientific principles behind these achievements.
Training programmes like START help build a community of students and educators familiar with space science, while also encouraging interest in research and engineering careers related to the sector.
The use of EDUSAT for delivering the programme highlights how satellite infrastructure originally developed for communication and research can also support large-scale educational initiatives.
In a country where access to specialised science education varies widely by region, such satellite-based programmes allow institutions to reach participants regardless of geography.
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How to Watch and Register
The inaugural session of START 2026 will be streamed live on March 11 at 3:00 PM IST at youtube.com/live/vxusHltqyd8. The live stream is open to anyone with internet access and does not require prior registration.
Those interested in attending the full programme must register through the official IIRS EDUSAT portal at elearning.iirs.gov.in/edusatregistration/.
Once registered, participants will be able to attend all sessions scheduled between March 11 and April 2 and follow the lecture series delivered by ISRO scientists and experts.
Disclaimer:
This news article has been prepared based on officially available information and public sources. Program schedules, rules, or procedures may change. Readers are advised to check the official website or announcements of the concerned organisation for the latest and most accurate information.
Pronita Devi, an M.A. in Political Science, has spent over a decade in electronic and digital media. She regularly contributes insightful articles on geopolitics and current affairs, bringing clarity and depth to complex global issues.
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