Meet Soumyashree Thanapati, the Class 10 girl from Odisha who beat 33 rivals at a national science seminar, won Rs 48,000 and ended a 13-year wait

She received a trophy, a certificate and a scholarship of Rs 48,000.

A Class 10 student from Odisha has secured the top position at a national science competition, competing against students representing 33 other states and Union Territories. Soumyashree Thanapati, a student of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya in Jharmunda, won the National Science Seminar 2026, held at the National Science Centre in New Delhi on October 30. She received a trophy, a certificate and a scholarship of Rs 48,000.Her win also marks an important milestone for Odisha. As reported by OdishaBytes and other regional news outlets, the state had waited 13 years for a student to secure the first position at the national-level competition.According to Orissa Diary, the seminar was organised by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), under the Union Ministry of Culture. This year’s theme was ‘Indian Energy Basket 2047: Prospects and Challenges.’ Students from 34 states and Union Territories presented their views on India’s future energy needs and the challenges involved in ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy supply.

What did Soumyashree present?

The theme asked students to examine the energy sources India may depend on as it moves towards 2047, the centenary of Independence. It covered questions around the country’s future energy requirements, alternative sources of energy, technological innovation and energy security. According to local news outlet Pragativadi, the seminar offered students an opportunity to explore how India could meet its growing energy needs while considering sustainable development. Soumyashree’s presentation earned her the top position in the competition.A panel of five experts from academic and scientific institutions selected the winner and nine runners-up. Participants were assessed on their subject knowledge, scientific understanding, ideas and presentation skills.

She received Rs 48,000; nine others were runners-up

For winning the competition, Soumyashree received a trophy, a certificate and a scholarship of Rs 48,000. Nine other students were declared runners-up. Each received a trophy, a certificate and a scholarship of Rs 24,000.The runners-up represented Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Tripura, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Haryana. In total, Rs 2.64 lakh was distributed as scholarships among the winner and the nine runners-up. The event was attended by senior officials from the science, education and energy sectors.

A competition held since 1982

The National Science Seminar has been organised annually by the National Council of Science Museums since 1982. It aims to encourage scientific thinking, curiosity, critical reasoning and communication skills among school students.

A 13-year milestone for Odisha

Soumyashree’s victory has also drawn attention in Odisha because of the gap since the state’s previous first-place finish. According to OdishaBytes, the state had secured the national-level top position after a gap of 13 years. Her achievement was supported by her school, teachers, the Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan, the Balangir district administration and the Regional Science Centre in Odisha.