Ashoka University
Other links:
Other links:
Build with Intelligence, Engineer with Purpose
YSP Artificial Intelligence, Robotics & Computing (YSP ARC) is a 10-day, certified, residential, summer programme for high school students entering Grades 9–12. Hands-on and build-centred, the programme invites participants to learn computing by building with it, from the robots that move through the physical world to the software that runs the systems around us.
Alongside the building projects, students attend lectures and hands-on workshops covering the breadth of computing. From the foundations of algorithms and programming, through networks and cybersecurity, to artificial intelligence, robotics and data science, the sessions show how the field fits together and where it is heading.
Students may learn, for instance, how a large language model can write sentences by turning words into numbers and language into probability. They may discover how a puzzle about prime numbers came to protect online payments, why a quantum computer might one day threaten it, how a phone recognises a face in an instant and how a robot senses the world around it.
Along the way, they become better informed about the careers that lie ahead in computing, and about the many paths that lead to them.
What You Will Explore in the Programme
Guided by Industry-Leading Experts and World-Class Faculty
The programme is led by faculty, researchers and industry practitioners who work at the frontiers of computing. Faculty and speakers may include Prof. Subhashis Banerjee, Prof. Lipika Dey, Prof. Partha Pratim Das, Prof. Sandeep Juneja, Prof. Debayan Gupta, Prof. Sudheendra Hangal, Prof. Mahavir Jhawar and Prof Jaspreet Bindra. Together with experts from industry, they share insights, real-world applications and inspiring stories that encourage students to think critically, question deeply and envision new possibilities in computing.
Hands-on Learning
Over 10 days, students move from ideas to working systems, learning by trying and testing. Seminars and workshops supply the concepts, while building projects give students a place to put them to use.
Career Pathways
In a world shaped by algorithms, automation and intelligent machines, careers in computing now reach into every field, from healthcare and finance to climate science. YSP ARC prepares young scholars for this future, with pathways such as:
Applications for Ashoka Young Scholars Programme (YSP) – Campus 2027 will open on December 1, 2026.
Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming cycle, follow us on social media and check our website for announcements.
Connect with us: LinkedIn | Instagram
Knowledge:
Skills:
Attitude:
Application:
YSP ARC covers a broad spectrum of topics, encouraging students to investigate the latest advancements in technology and their real-world applications. Scholars may attend seminars that cover topics like How AI can be leveraged to revolutionize personalized education? How do AI systems balance the need for innovation with protecting personal data? They will investigate the role of robotics in automation, considering how smart machines can collaborate with humans in dynamic environments. Ethical dilemmas are a constant theme, prompting students to question: What responsibilities do developers have and how can they be designed to minimize unintended societal impacts? These topics and questions will challenge scholars to think critically, encouraging a thoughtful and forward-looking approach to technology’s evolving role in the world.
A sample schedule for YSP ARC is given below. (tentative schedule, subject to change)
YSP TDCS Programme ScheduleHave questions about YSP TDCS?
Know More
In school, we learn about the basic subjects. We learn about math. We learn about science. We learn about English. But we don’t really learn about the applications of those subjects. We just learn them from the textbooks. But here at YSP, we learn in depth. We learn about the application. There was this professor, his name was Aalok Thakkar, who was a brilliant professor. He made us really think about what mathematics really is. He gave us a lot of complex problems, some of which still haven’t been solved, and a lot of paradoxes. He really made us think. We don’t get those kinds of things in school textbooks and stuff like that… he really made us think about what logic and mathematics fundamentally are. He taught us about what computer science is exactly, because there are a lot of misconceptions around computer science. People really think that computer science is all about computers and there’s no mathematics involved, but really, computer science is a lot about mathematics. If I were to put what I learned in one sentence, it’s basically the practical application of what you learn in school. That’s what YSP professors really teach you.
We also got a chance to visit the Makerspace lab yesterday. We got to see a 3D printer, which is so economical, honestly. We got to laser engrave our ID cards, personalise them, and also see a ton of new machines. It was really exciting and, honestly, that’s making me want to come to Ashoka.
In our batch, some people didn’t know Python yet, so the Makerspace started with the basic concepts of Python. So far, the first week has been about understanding Python deeply – why it’s necessary and how we use it. There have been debates, games, and fun activities like parcel heist. We get challenge cards, which aren’t required, but they really make you think. One was a puzzle heist, where we had to code instructions and find a passcode using different Python functions. It was really interesting and challenging.
I’ve been passionate about computer science since grade six, so when I found YSP through LinkedIn, it felt like the perfect opportunity to learn something new over the summer. One of the most exciting sessions for me was about submarine cables – I’d read about them before, but this session really deepened my understanding of how they’re built, managed, and connected globally. It was amazing to see how technology, policy, and global infrastructure come together. YSP has been a space for innovation, exploration, and real exposure to the tech world.
