The Union Education Ministry has initiated a group of 56 students to participate in the Sakura Science Programme 2026 in Japan. These students, along with four supervisors, will be in Japan from May 24 to 30. The Sakura Science Programme includes participants from India, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The flag-off ceremony took place at NCERT in New Delhi and was graced by officials like Archana Sharma Awasthi, Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and A. Srija. The group of 56 students, comprising 24 boys and 32 girls, hails from government schools across 15 states and Union Territories in India.
These students have been selected as recipients of scholarships under the National Means cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) scheme of the Union government. The Sakura Science Programme, initiated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) since 2014, aims to foster scientific exploration and broaden intellectual horizons among young learners.
India has actively participated in the Sakura Science Programme since April 2016. The programme invites students to Japan for a week to experience the country’s advanced science and technology ecosystem along with its rich cultural heritage. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, which emphasizes holistic and engaging learning experiences for students.
