Ashoka University

The Ashoka Young Scholars Programme (YSP) is India’s largest and most prestigious certified summer residential programme for motivated students entering Grades 9–12. Designed to offer early exposure to liberal arts and sciences education at the university level, YSP enables students to explore diverse disciplines, broaden their perspectives, and build essential skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

2026 marked another exciting chapter in the journey of the programme, bringing together ~1,600 high schoolers from ~540 schools across 110 cities and 8 countries.

This diversity was reflected in the student cohort, with participants joining from schools and institutions such as VidyaGyan Leadership Academy, Sitapur and Bulandshahr, SOBHA ICON HSS, Palakkad, Avasara Academy, Pune, Nanakmatta Public School, Uttarakhand, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Hazratbal, and Mithibai College, Mumbai, among others.

‘What really defines YSP is, first, an interdisciplinary approach so you get exposure to multiple subjects and can decide what you want to focus on later; second, the world-class global faculty, and third, the chance to work with peers from around the country. The faculty and students engage in a lot of dialogue and debate, and they do things together. We also ensure that we bring in very high-quality guest speakers who are all leaders and achievers in their own disciplines.’

– Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder & Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University

YSP continued to expand its academic offerings in 2026, growing to 8 interdisciplinary programmes, including two new additions. This gave students more opportunities than ever to explore their interests while learning directly from global faculty and industry experts.

Programmes offered included:

• Entrepreneurship, Business & Leadership – Essentials (5-day) & Advanced (10-day)
• Innovators in Science & Tech
• Tech, Data & Computer Science
• Psychology, Behaviour & Well-Being
• Economics, Finance & Markets – Essentials (5-day) & Advanced (10-day) (New)
• Policy, Society & International Affairs (New)

Learning In and Beyond the Classroom

At YSP 2026, learning was designed to be both rigorous and exploratory, combining academic depth with hands-on experiences that encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Across the eight interdisciplinary programmes, students experienced learning in many different forms; from pitching business ideas and debating global issues to experimenting in laboratories, building robots, and exploring the human mind.

Entrepreneurship, Business & Leadership

Students explored the journey from idea to enterprise through workshops on business planning, financial literacy, and leadership. A key highlight was Mic Drop, where teams presented their business ideas before an eminent jury, including Geeta Goel (Former Managing Director, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; MBA (IIM), Ahmedabad). The programme featured Deep Kalra (Founder, MakeMyTrip; BA Economics, St. Stephen’s College; MBA, IIM Ahmedabad), Aditya Ghosh (Co-Founder, Akasa Air; Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University; Member, Board of Directors, Fabindia Overseas; Member, Board of Directors, OYO Hotels and Homes; BA LLB, University of Delhi) and Akhil Dhawan (Visiting Faculty, Department of Entrepreneurship, Ashoka University).

Tech, Data & Computer Science

Students explored AI, machine learning, robotics, and computational thinking through hands-on learning, bringing their ideas to life by designing, building, and programming a walking robot from scratch in the Makerspace. A highlight of the programme was a session by Dr Rohan Paul (Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi), who introduced students to cutting-edge robotics through live demonstrations, including the SmartCane and other assistive technologies. Students also learned from Subhashis Banerjee (Head of the Department and Professor of Computer Science, Ashoka University; Ph.D. Indian Institute of Science), and Prateek Khorana (Agentic Solutions, YouTube, Google), who connected classroom concepts with real-world technological innovation.

Policy, Society & International Affairs

Students explored some of today’s most pressing global issues through discussions, case studies, and simulations inspired by institutions such as the UN and G20. Students learned from distinguished faculty including Shivshankar Menon (Visiting Professor of International Relations and Chair, Ashoka Centre for China Studies), Kanti Bajpai (Visiting Professor, Department of International Relations, Ashoka University and Emeritus Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore), and Chakshu Roy (Head of Legislative and Civic Engagement, PRS Legislative Research).

Psychology, Behaviour & Well-Being

Students took an in-depth look into the science of mind, behaviour, and well-being, drawing on fields such as forensic psychology, behavioural economics, and computational neuroscience to understand what drives human decision-making. A highlight of the programme was a hands-on session in Ashoka’s psychology research lab, where students explored eye tracking, EEG, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) under the guidance of Supriya Ray (Associate Professor of Psychology, Ashoka University; Ph.D. National Brain Research Centre, India). The programme also featured sessions by Tithi Bhatnagar (Visiting Professor of Psychology, Ashoka University; Ph.D. IIT Bombay), and Pooja Haldea (Senior Advisor, Centre for Social and Behaviour Change, Ashoka University), offering students diverse perspectives on human behaviour and well-being

Innovators in Science & Tech

The programme offered students a rich blend of theory, hands-on practice, and experiential exploration across the pure, applied, and computational sciences. Through biology, chemistry, and physics labs, Makerspace modules, and research showcases on topics such as cancer research, sustainable energy, and planetary habitability, students engaged with the questions shaping science today while learning to think beyond textbooks. The experience was enriched by leading faculties including Somak Raychaudhury (Former Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Physics, Ashoka University; Ph.D. in Astrophysics, University of Cambridge), Anurag Agrawal (Dean, BioSciences and Health Research, Trivedi School of BioSciences; Head, Koita Center for Digital Health, Ashoka University; MBBS, PhD, Diplomate American Board (Int Med, Pulm Dis, Crit Care), and Bikram Phookun (Dean, Academic Affairs and Professor of Physics, Ashoka University; Ph.D. University of Maryland).

Economics, Finance & Markets

Introduced in 2026, the programme encouraged students to apply economic thinking to real-world challenges through sessions on macroeconomics, capital markets, fiscal policy, and stock market simulations. Students learned from Bhaskar Dutta (Distinguished University Professor of Economics at Ashoka University;Ph.D. University of Delhi), Saahil Goel (CEO, Shiprocket), Vijay Singh Chauhan (Senior Fellow, Isaac Centre for Public Policy), and Gaurav Hazrati (President, Financial Services, Tata Digital).

More Than Just a Summer Programme

While academics remained at the heart of the experience, life at YSP extended far beyond the classroom. Students enjoyed a vibrant residential experience filled with opportunities to relax, participate in recreational and sporting activities, celebrate together, and build friendships with peers from across the country. These moments of fun, connection, and shared experiences became an integral part of the YSP journey, creating memories that lasted well beyond the programme.

Behind every memorable YSP experience was a team of dedicated counsellors who brought the programme to life. For students stepping away from home for the first time, they were often the first point of support, guiding them through classrooms and residence halls, encouraging participation, documenting cherished moments, and creating opportunities for students to connect with one another. Through their warmth, commitment, and tireless efforts, they helped transform a residential programme into a community where students felt safe, supported, and inspired to grow.