About Us
PRAYAAS scheme, is a unique programme which aimed at providing with the opportunity to conduct school students for conducting year-long research and investigations and to become acquainted with scientific methodology and experimentation. This programme is aligned with the spirit of NEP 2020 and focuses on scientific temper and evidence-based thinking, creativity and innovativeness, logical reasoning and problem-solving, keeping in view the critical issues faced by the local communities.
The Department of Education in Science and Mathematics, NCERT, New Delhi, has initiated this programme by providing catalytic grant to nurture original ideas in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and their possible integration with arts (STEAM). The main objective of this scheme is to promote Science education and popularize Science.
Area Covered for the project under the PRAYAAS 2025-26
PRAYAAS invites project proposals for carrying out research/investigation on an original Scientific concept/area such as –
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Identify and study a local problem.
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Investigate a scientific reason behind a local problem.
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Attempt to find a scientific solution to any problem.
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Work on any idea/imaginations/ conceptions that intends to generate scientific knowledge.
Eligibility Criteria
For Students:
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The student(s) must be studying in class IX to XI.
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Students from all schools are eligible to participate in PRAYAAS.
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Single student or a group of maximum two students, along with a teacher at their school, and an expert from any HEI should submit a proposal.
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Only one entry per school will be considered. If a school sent more than one entry, all entries will then be rejected.
Project Tenure
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The project tenure is for one year from the date of commencement of the project in school to completion.
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Tentative date of tenure will start from 16 October 2025 to 16 October 2026 for PRAYAAS 2025-26.
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Heads of Schools and HEIs for the selected projects are expected to facilitate the project work during the tenure and ensure completion of the project by the end of the tenure.
NOTE - The research work done by the school students will be uploaded on the NCERT web-site.
Research Grant
A grant of total Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) will be given for each selected research proposal. Out of this amount, Rs. 10,000/- will be provided to the student (Rs. 5,000 each in case of two students) and Rs. 20,000 each will be given to the School and HEI expert as catalytic grant to facilitate the students in conducting the research.
Selection Process
After receiving the entries, the project proposals will be screened by a committee of experts. The screening process will be based on the criteria adopted by NCERT which are following:
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Originality of the Research proposal (20%).
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Scientific Thought/Principle (10%).
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Scientific Methodology to be followed for performing Research (10%).
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The relevance of proposed research for solving local problems, or the generation of scientific knowledge (20%).
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Environmental efficacy and sustainability (20%).
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Explanation and clarity of the proposed research project proposal and write up (20%).
NOTE - NCERT reserves the right to alter the criteria to include adequate numbers of entries from rural/ backward regions and entries from disabled students.
Call for Interview
For the shortlisted entries, the concerned students and teachers/mentors will be called by NCERT for presentation cum interview.
How to Apply
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Department of Education in Science and Mathematics (DESM) is inviting application for Promotion of Research Attitude in Young And Aspiring Students, PRAYAAS scheme, 2025-26. The related information is also available on NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in .
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The applicants are required to send their application and project proposal which they intend to undertake, online to email id (prayaas2526@gmail.com in the prescribed format (Please see Annexure-I).
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The format for sending the application in HTML and PDF format is given as Annexure-I (complete checklist provided on the NCERT website may be referred before submitting the project).
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The students who are willing to fill their applications may download the HTML format, fill up the entries by typing or they can download the PDF format and fill-up the entries by clean hand writing.
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After filling-up of the application form, they may get the form duly signed with seal by the School Head. Duly typed and completed applications may be scanned and sent to prayaas2526@gmail.com
Click Here to know more - https://ncert.nic.in/desm/pdf/PRAYAAS_2025-26.pdf
Important Dates
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EVENTS |
DATES |
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Last Date to APPLY |
30th August 2025 up to 5.30 PM (IST) (extended Date) |
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Screening of applications |
15 September 2025 |
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Deadline for Jury and selection of Project proposal |
30 September 2025 |
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Announcement of results: 15 October 2025 Commencement of Project |
16 October 2025 |
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Progress Report (four months after the date of commencement of the project) Completion of project |
16 October 2026 |
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Report Submission |
20 October 2026 |
NOTE - Applications received after the last date will not be considered.
IMPORTANT NOTE – The Candidate(s) & Teacher applying for “PRAYAAS 2025-26” Project, must read the brochure very carefully before applying. Annexures are available towards the end of the PDF. Information in English language starts from Pg 19 in the PDF.
