Bhubaneswar, October 30: Soumyashree Thanapati from Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV), Jharmunda was declared the winner of the National Science Seminar 2026 organised by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, at the National Science Centre, Delhi, on Friday.

Students from 34 States and Union Territories participated in the National Science Seminar and deliberated on the topic “Indian Energy Basket 2047: Prospects and Challenges”. The seminar provided a platform for young students to explore India's energy requirements, future energy prospects and the challenges associated with ensuring sustainable energy security.

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A panel of distinguished experts, namely Dr. Sumanta Borthakur, Vice Principal and Associate Professor (Retd.), B. Borooah College, Guwahati; Dr. Sushama M. Giripunje, Professor, Physics Department, VNIT Nagpur; Dr. Manas Pratim Das, Programme Executive & Eminent Science Communicator, Akashvani, Kolkata; Prof. Pramod Kumar, Professor and Chairperson, Mechanical Engineering Department, Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Prof. Anil Kumar, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, adjudged the following participants as the winner and runner-ups:

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The winner received a Winner Trophy, a Certificate and a Scholarship of Rs. 48,000. The other nine runner-ups received a Runner-up Trophy, a Certificate and a Scholarship of Rs. 24,000 each. A total amount of Rs. 2,64,000 was awarded as scholarships.

The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). Rajnath Ram, Adviser (Energy), NITI Aayog, also graced the seminar.

The National Science Seminar 2026 highlighted the importance of encouraging scientific inquiry and informed discussion among school students on issues of national significance.