Kharagpur : IIT Kharagpur will celebrate National Space Day 2025 on August 23, 2025, joining the nation in commemorating the historic success of India’s Chandrayaan-3 Mission that achieved a landmark landing on the moon’s south polar region on August 23, 2023. The day is aimed at inspiring the youth of the nation to pursue space science, technology, and innovation.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Bridging the Past and Future: Honoring Traditional Astronomy and Showcasing Modern Space Achievements.”

As part of the celebration, IIT Kharagpur will host a day-long programme featuring engaging activities such as a Space Quiz for school children, Water Rocketry Workshop, Telescope Making Workshop, Mazerunner Bot Exhibition, and a Star Gazing session at the Tata Complex in the evening. The events will involve participation from local schoolchildren, IIT Kharagpur students, faculty, staff, and the larger community.

Adding to the grandeur of the occasion, the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has launched a major national initiative titled “From Ancient Skies to Modern Horizons – Space Heritage in India.” As part of this initiative, IIT Kharagpur will host a special exhibition outside Netaji Auditorium, highlighting India’s rich legacy in astronomy and space exploration—from ancient practices to cutting-edge space missions.

IIT Kharagpur has been a longstanding partner in India’s space journey through pioneering research and collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Since the 1970s, the institute has been contributing to ISRO’s mission through research projects, with the Kalpana Chawla Space Technology Cell (KCSTC) serving as a platform for interdisciplinary research in space science and technology. These efforts align with the vision of ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to strengthening India’s self-reliance in space research and innovation.