Where Young Minds Meet Big Ideas: Inside The Lodha Genius – Ashoka University Programme 2026

For four weeks, Ashoka University became home to 272 exceptionally talented students from across India, all brought together by a shared curiosity about the world and a passion for learning beyond the classroom.

The on-campus component of the Lodha Genius with Ashoka University Programme (LG-AUP) took place from 18 May to 15 June 2026. Selected through a highly competitive admissions process involving an entrance test and interviews, students from Grades 9-12 arrived on campus, ready to immerse themselves in an academic experience unlike any they had encountered before.

What began with suitcases, introductions, and a degree of nervousness soon transformed into a vibrant community of young scholars. In the first few days, many students were reserved, navigating an unfamiliar campus and meeting peers from different cities, schools, and backgrounds. By the end of the first week, friendships had begun to form in classrooms, residence halls, sports facilities, and late-night study sessions at the library.

At the heart of the programme was a commitment to immersive and interdisciplinary learning. Students were divided into three tracks – Junior, Science, and Mathematics – each designed to challenge them intellectually while encouraging collaboration and exploration.

The Junior Track introduced students in Grades 9 and 10 to a diverse range of disciplines, exposing them to ideas and methods that are rarely encountered in conventional school settings. Through workshops and hands-on activities, students explored subjects ranging from mathematics and scientific inquiry to critical thinking and problem-solving, helping them discover new academic interests and possibilities for the future.

Students in the Science Track spent four weeks working intensively on a research project of their choice under the guidance of distinguished faculty members. Mathematics Track students pursued advanced learning in areas such as problem solving, pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and discrete mathematics, engaging deeply with concepts that extended far beyond standard school curricula.

Learning at LG-AUP extended well beyond classrooms. Across the programme, students participated in activities that encouraged creativity, experimentation, and teamwork. Their days were filled with logical puzzles, scientific investigations, discussions, collaborative projects, and hands-on learning experiences that challenged them to think critically and ask deeper questions.

Weekends brought a different rhythm to campus life. Students attended workshops on topics ranging from financial literacy and social-emotional learning to dance movement and telescope building. These sessions provided opportunities to develop practical skills while exploring interests outside their primary academic focus.

A defining feature of the programme was the opportunity to learn directly from the field. Students enrolled in the Ecology course travelled to Devalsari in Uttarakhand, where they studied bird, spider, and plant species while gaining a deeper understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, students participating in the project Alien Earths: In Search of Life Beyond Our Planet visited the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Uttarakhand. There, they engaged with astronomy in a hands-on setting, observing the night sky and exploring questions related to planetary systems, stars, and the search for life beyond Earth.

Another highlight of LG-AUP 2026 was the Great Ideas Seminar (GIS) series, which brought accomplished leaders, researchers, innovators, and creative professionals to campus. Across seven sessions, students had the opportunity to engage with experts from diverse fields, gaining insight into the many paths that curiosity, dedication, and imagination can open. Among this year’s speakers was Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to travel to space and the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, whose journey inspired students to pursue ambitious goals of their own.

The programme culminated in final project presentations by Science Track students, who showcased the outcomes of four weeks of rigorous inquiry, experimentation, and collaboration. Their presentations reflected not only the knowledge they had gained but also the confidence and intellectual maturity they had developed during their time on campus.

As students prepared to leave Ashoka University, they carried with them far more than course notes and project reports. They left with new friendships, fresh perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the power of inquiry-driven learning. For many, LG-AUP 2026 was not simply a summer programme; instead, it was a transformative experience that demonstrated what becomes possible when talented young minds are given the space to explore, question, and discover.