vivo India has announced the selection of 10 educators for its National Teacher Innovation Fellowship (NTIF), introduced under the fourth edition of the vivo Ignite initiative. The fellowship is designed to support the STEM education ecosystem by recognizing teachers who implement experiential learning, problem-solving, and inclusive pedagogical practices in their classrooms.
The initiative received over 200 applications nationwide. Following initial assessments, 30 candidates were shortlisted for the interview round. A final cohort of 10 educators representing six states, one Union Territory, and 10 districts was selected.
The evaluation framework focused on four key criteria:
- Innovation in Teaching Practice: Implementation of novel classroom methodologies.
- Inclusive and Adaptive Teaching: Strategies tailored to diverse learning requirements.
- Real-World Impact and STEM Application: Practical problem-solving and community engagement.
- Vision, Leadership, and Scale: Long-term sustainability and educational outreach.
The selection committee comprised nine academicians and industry experts from organizations including IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies and the Science Olympiad Foundation.
Selected Fellows and Key Initiatives
The 10 selected educators represent diverse pedagogical approaches across STEM disciplines:
- R. Chandrasekaran (Tamil Nadu | Science & Mathematics): Operates the ‘Your Problem, Your Solution’ program in the Kolli Hills, guiding tribal students to design solutions for local community challenges. The initiative has engaged more than 10,000 students and supported 72 community-focused projects.
- S. Mani (Assam | Physics): Founder of ‘Akashavidyalaya – Sky School of India’, an initiative focused on observational astronomy, solar observations, asteroid searches, and telescope fabrication. The outreach has engaged over 2,000 students and community members across 11 schools.
- Nitesh Kumar (Haryana | AI, Robotics & IoT): Implements a ‘Problem-to-Prototype’ framework guiding students from concept ideation to physical prototypes. His mentorship covers approximately 10,000 students and 500 projects, with student teams qualifying for platforms such as the VEX World Championship and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
- C. Manikyam Reddy (Tamil Nadu | Physics): Utilizes the ‘Enrich the Soil’ pedagogical framework, integrating low-cost experimental setups to demonstrate physics concepts. His work has reached over 1,000 students and guided approximately 20 student projects.
- Neeru Mittal (Delhi | STEM & Maker Education): Directs ‘Masti ki Prayogshala’, a maker-education initiative where students prototype solutions for everyday challenges. The program has reached over 4,000 students, including 1,800 girls, resulting in more than 250 prototypes.
- Sadhana Kaushik (Uttar Pradesh | STEM / Atal Tinkering Lab): Established an ‘Idea-to-Impact’ pipeline within the Atal Tinkering Lab framework, enabling students to apply design thinking to prototype and test technical solutions.
- Periyasamy P (Tamil Nadu | STEM, Robotics & AI): Employs applied methodologies in robotics and artificial intelligence to facilitate technical literacy and practical experimentation.
- Lalit Mohan Sahu (Telangana | Science, Mathematics & Music): A teacher with 25 years of experience who developed ‘Rhythmic STEM’, an interdisciplinary model using musical structures to teach mathematical and scientific concepts. He also adapts STEM learning materials for visually impaired students.
- Nita Chandrashekhar Javale (Maharashtra | Computer Science & Atal Tinkering Lab): Integrates foundational computer science curricula with hands-on tinkering lab modules to support student innovation projects.
- Ekta Sharma (Uttar Pradesh | Science & Physics): Applies experiential models in physics education to encourage observation, experimental validation, and real-world application.
National Finale
The 10 fellows will be formally recognized at the vivo Ignite 4.0 National Finale, scheduled for October 28, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event will convene student innovators, educators, and institutional stakeholders from the broader education and STEM innovation sectors.