The IN-SPACe Model Rocketry and CANSAT India Student Competition 2024–25 spread over four days from Oct 27-30 on the banks of the Narayani River at Tumkuhiraj, Kushinagar ans jointly organised by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), ISRO, and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI) with the support of Govt of Uttar Pradesh and District Administration, saw participation of 67 teams from across the country, marking an inspiring chapter in India’s student-led space innovation movement.
The four-day national finale witnessed participation from 67 student teams — 31 teams in the Model Rocketry and 36 teams in the CANSAT category, representing some of India’s most promising young innovators.
R.V. College of Engineering, Bengaluru, emerged as the winner in the Model Rocketry segment, while SVKM’s Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering, Mumbai, secured the top position in the CANSAT segment.
For the Model Rocketry category, the evaluation focused on rocket structure, mission performance, descent and recovery mechanisms, telemetry and avionics operation, and post-flight analysis. In the CANSAT category, teams were assessed on structure, telemetry and GUI performance, descent control, recovery, mission execution, and innovation.
The four-day event also featured a Space Exhibition that attracted more than 650 students from nearby districts, offering them hands-on exposure to rocketry and satellite technology. The exhibition allowed visiting students to interact directly with participating teams, sparking curiosity and a deeper understanding of space science. As part of the outreach leading up to the competition, ASI had conducted the ‘Art-in-Space’ and ‘Space Quiz 20:20’ contests across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh — Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Jaunpur, Bahraich, Bulandshahr, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, which received an overwhelming response from nearly 75,000 students. The top artworks created by students were also displayed at the exhibition.
Adding to the learning experience, AAKA Space set up an Analog Astronaut Training Habitat at the venue, where batches of students underwent simulated astronaut training sessions, spending 24 hours each in controlled mission conditions — a first-of-its-kind exposure for many.
Winners
A total of 37 launches (13 in Model Rocketry and 24 in CANSAT) were successfully conducted over the course of the competition, with teams demonstrating exceptional technical skill and scientific precision. The teams were evaluated by a distinguished jury comprising scientists from ISRO and IN-SPACe on a comprehensive set of technical parameters designed to assess both precision and innovation.
The top five teams in each category were recognised for their outstanding performance and innovation:
| Position | Model Rocketry (Institution) | CANSAT (Institution) |
| 1 | R.V College of Engineering (Bengaluru) | SVKM’s Dwarkadas J. Sangvi College of Engineering (Mumbai) |
| 2 | Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology- PSIT (Kanpur) | Dayanand Sagar College of Engineering (Bengaluru) |
| 3 | Nirma University (Ahmedabad) | BITS Pilani (Hyderabad) |
The closing ceremony was graced by Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Shri Shashank Mani, Member of Parliament, Deoria, Shri A K Anil Kumar, Director, ISTRAC and Group Capitan Shri Shubhanshu Shukla who interacted with the students and lauded their efforts.
Shukla’s address resonated deeply with the participants as he urged them to push boundaries, nurture curiosity, and take pride in being part of India’s growing space movement.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe said, “The IN-SPACe Model Rocketry & CANSAT Competition was inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision to encourage and prepare talent who will build India’s future space missions. This is the second season of the competition and it has been heartening to see our national vision in action as participants from various educational institutions around the country gather in Kushinagar to show what learning-by-doing can achieve. For the 67 teams and nearly 600 young minds who participated, this was less about winning and more about building India’s next missions – one ignition point at a time. IN-SPACe will keep backing our students, mentors, and entrepreneurs as we work toward a Vikshit, science-powered Bharat.”
Member of Parliament, Deoria, Shri. Shashank Mani, who extended crucial support to the event added, “It is a matter of immense pride for Deoria Lok Sabha and Kushinagar district to host this national-level competition in Tamkuhi Raj Vidhan Sabha. Seeing Students from across India innovate, launch rockets, and inspire our local youth reflects exactly what we envisioned through “Amrit Prayas”- a 10-year vision to transform our constituency through knowledge, innovation and opportunity. This event has planted the seeds of aspiration in thousands of young minds here. Deoria Lok Sabha is not just accelerating India’s Space journey, we want to lead it in Model Rocket, so that our children will also contribute to India’s space economy”
The event concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony celebrating the passion, precision, and perseverance of young Indian minds who are shaping the nation’s space future.
