56 NMMS scholars flagged off to Japan under Sakura Science Programme 2026
On 23 May 2026 the Ministry of Education flagged off 56 government-school students from 15 States/UTs, all NMMS scholarship holders, for a 24–30 May visit to Japan under the Sakura Science Programme 2026.
Summary
The Sakura Science Programme 2026 batch from India was flagged off by the Department of School Education & Literacy at NCERT, New Delhi, on 23 May 2026. From 24 to 30 May, 56 students (24 boys and 32 girls) and 4 supervisors visit Japan alongside participants from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. The students are from government schools in 15 States and UTs and hold National Means-cum-Merit Scholarships (NMMS). The programme, formally the 'Japan Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science', has been run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) since 2014; India joined in April 2016 and 674 students with 96 supervisors have visited so far.
Key facts
- Flag-off
- 23 May 2026, NCERT, New Delhi
- Visit
- 24–30 May 2026, Japan
- Participants
- 56 students (24 boys, 32 girls) + 4 supervisors from 15 States/UTs
- Eligibility
- NMMS scholarship holders from government schools
- Run by
- Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), since 2014
- India's participation
- Since April 2016; 674 students and 96 supervisors so far
- Other countries in batch
- Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many Indian school students are visiting Japan under the Sakura Science Programme 2026 (24–30 May)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 56
56 school students (24 boys and 32 girls) and 4 supervisors from India are visiting Japan.
The Sakura Science Programme ('Japan Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science') is implemented by:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
PIB: the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has been implementing the programme since 2014; India has participated since April 2016.