Sribhumi Roots, ISRO Dreams: Abu Hasim Reaches YUVIKA 2026

For most students, space exploration is something they encounter through textbooks, television screens, or internet videos. For Md. Abu Hasim Choudhury, however, it became a reality when he earned a place in one of the country’s most prestigious student programmes organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

A Class 10 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Hayuliang, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, Abu Hasim was selected for ISRO’s Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA) 2026, an initiative designed to introduce school students to the world of space science, satellite technology, astronomy, and rocket engineering. Every year, only a limited number of students from across India are selected for the programme, making the achievement highly competitive.

Although the family currently resides in Hayuliang, their roots lie in Fakira Bazar of Sribhumi district in Assam. According to his elder brother, Abu Hanif Choudhury, the family has maintained strong ties with its native place even after moving to Arunachal Pradesh nearly three decades ago.

What makes the achievement even more significant is that Abu Hasim is believed to be the only student selected from Anjaw district for YUVIKA 2026. For a district located in one of India’s remotest border regions, the selection has become a moment of pride not only for the family but also for the wider community.

YUVIKA (Yuva Vigyani Karyakram) is one of ISRO’s flagship student outreach programmes aimed at nurturing scientific curiosity among school students. Abu Hasim’s name appeared in the official YUVIKA 2026 selection list published on April 13, 2026. He was listed under Application No. YUV2026-48051012564 and secured Serial No. 201 in the national selection list. The selection was made through a competitive process that considered academic performance and other criteria prescribed by ISRO.

Born on October 28, 2011, Abu Hasim has consistently performed well academically. According to his brother, he secured 91 percent marks in Class 9 and is known among teachers as one of the brightest students in his school. Beyond academics, he is also an active volleyball player and has participated in quiz competitions, winning first place in one such event during his school years.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin, Abu Hanif Choudhury recalled the excitement that followed the selection. While the family was delighted, they also faced an unexpected challenge. Sending a young student alone from Arunachal Pradesh to Dehradun for a residential programme was not an easy decision.

“We were very happy when he got selected, but at the same time we were worried about how to send him there,” he said. “My father’s health was not good, I was working in Bengaluru, and my younger brother was in Guwahati. After a lot of discussion, our father finally accompanied him.”

Abu Hasim later attended the residential YUVIKA programme at the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun. The 12-day programme brought together students from different parts of the country and provided exposure to space science, satellite technology, remote sensing, astronomy, rocket technology, and other scientific activities under the guidance of ISRO scientists and experts.

According to his brother, the experience strengthened Abu Hasim’s interest in pursuing a career related to space technology. During the programme, he interacted directly with ISRO scientists and learned about rockets, the history of India’s space programme, and the functioning of ISRO. He also participated in quizzes and interactive sessions with fellow students from across the country.

The achievement also received appreciation from his school. Abu Hanif said teachers were delighted by the selection and actively helped the family prepare for the programme by guiding them through the necessary procedures and travel arrangements.

Despite coming from a modest background, the family has always prioritised education. “Our family supports him in every possible way,” Abu Hanif said. “We may not be from a wealthy background, but we want him to learn, grow, and take every opportunity available to him.”

For the family, Abu Hasim’s journey carries a message that extends beyond personal success. It demonstrates that students from remote districts and border regions can compete and excel at the national level when given the opportunity. His advice to other students is simple: work hard, stay focused, and never stop learning.

Today, Abu Hasim dreams of becoming a scientist or rocket engineer in the future. As he returns to his studies after experiencing one of India’s most prestigious student science programmes, his story serves as a reminder that talent can emerge from any corner of the country. For students growing up in remote regions of the Northeast, his journey offers proof that distance is no barrier to ambition. The question now is: could this young student from Hayuliang one day become one of the scientists helping shape India’s future in space?