The Department of Health Research - Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) has concluded the second edition of ICMR-SHINE (Science & Health Innovation for the Nextgen Explorers), held on August 11-12, 2026, bringing biomedical and public health research closer to school students across the country.

Building on the Prime Minister's call to "spend a day as a scientist," the programme opened ICMR laboratories to students of Classes 9 to 12, giving them a direct opportunity to see, experience and interact with the science behind public health.

The initiative spanned 31 States and Union Territories across 83 unique locations, reaching well beyond major metropolitan centres into the valleys and remote terrains of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, the Andamans, and rural regions of Jharkhand, Odisha and 

Madhya Pradesh. For many students encountering a research environment for the first time, ICMR-SHINE served as an accessible entry point into biomedical inquiry, guided throughout by Dr Curio, the programme's official mascot featured across interactive videos, posters and cut-outs designed to make complex science feel approachable and engaging.

In Nagpur and Gorakhpur, students got close to state-of-the-art Mobile BSL-3 laboratories on wheels, seeing firsthand how high-containment research capabilities can be deployed directly to field situations. 

In Delhi, students showcased creative solutions developed through Atal Tinkering Labs under NITI Aayog, highlighting youth-driven innovation as part of the programme.

As part of the initiative, ICMR launched its official SHINE website, giving students access to resources, programme updates and opportunities related to health research. 

The council also announced a nationwide SHINE school competition, inviting students to identify real-world public health challenges, frame research questions and propose potential solutions — extending the "spend a day as a scientist" concept into sustained scientific inquiry and innovation. 

Applications are open until September 11, 2026, and can be submitted through the SHINE portal.