86% of ninth graders in India are interested in astronomy, only 26% have access to telescopes: Study

3 minutes of readingPuneUpdated: February 10, 2026 10:06 pm IST

Eighty-six percent of ninth graders in India are interested in astronomy, but only a quarter have access to telescopes or planetariums, a nationwide baseline survey of more than 2,000 students in 34 schools in 10 states revealed. The students came from diverse backgrounds and the study showed that, despite their interest, they demonstrated a limited understanding of fundamental concepts such as astronomical sizes, distances and lunar phases.

The study also showed that 70 percent of students surveyed expressed a positive interest in studying astronomy in higher classes or at university. Asking about students’ understanding of the path to becoming an astronomer, the study said: “Our findings indicate a general lack of clarity among students in this regard. Most respondents simply suggested studying science, physics or astronomy without providing specific details.”

The study was published in the Astronomy Education Journal on February 5 and has been carried out by the India Center of the Bureau of Astronomy for Education (IAU-OAE) of the International Astronomical Union, jointly organized by the Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE-TIFR). Bombayand the Interuniversity Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune.

It was conducted in schools in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu And Kashmir. It included 2,038 students from 34 schools. Of them, 22 schools had few resources while 12 had many resources. In total, 1,014 of the students surveyed were women and 871 were men.

“This is the first large-scale study of its kind in India to systematically assess students’ understanding and attitudes towards astronomy. The results clearly indicate both an urgent need and a valuable opportunity to strengthen astronomy education through curriculum development, teacher training and better access to observing resources like telescopes, planetariums, etc.,” said Professor Aniket Sule, Director, IAUOAE India Center and co-author of the study.

Students were assigned the task of arranging Jupiter, the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun from smallest to largest. In total, 65 percent of the students answered the question correctly. 85 percent of students in resource-rich schools answered this question correctly, compared to 50 percent of students in resource-poor schools.

When students were asked to arrange the Sun, Moon, stars and Neptune in order of proximity to Earth, only 35 percent of students could answer this question. 50 percent of students from resource-rich schools answered correctly, while only 23 percent of students from resource-poor schools answered correctly.

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The study also investigated students’ belief in astrology and observed a relatively positive outlook where 66% of students expressed reluctance to cancel travel plans based on their horoscope.

Professor Surhud More, Deputy Director, IAU-OAE India Center and also co-author of the study, added, “As the data from this study was analyzed, the need to address these issues through textbook reform became evident. Therefore, the astronomy content in the new NCERT textbooks has benefited from the knowledge gained through this study.” Professor More is also part of the NCERT textbook development team.

Soham Shah is a correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with experience in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous, research-oriented approach to his current reporting. Professional Experience Role: Correspondent covering education and urban affairs in Pune. Specialization: Its main objective is education, but it also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights and state policy. Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reporting, and public infrastructure. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Their late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-focused reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human rights stories: 1. Investigations and Governance “Express Impact: Mother’s name now a must for downloading birth certificate from PMC site” (December 20, 2025) – Reports on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following its reports previous statements on the inclusion of gender in administrative documents. “44-acre Mahar land controversy: In June, a Pune official sought land eviction at the firm behest of Pawar’s son” (November 9, 2025) – An investigative article on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families. 2. Education and University Life Faculty crisis at SPPU affects research and administrative work: 62% of government approved posts are vacant, more than 75% in many departments (September 12, 2025) – A research paper on faculty vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University. “Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why the National Curriculum Framework recommends a Class 6 third language” (July 2) – This in-depth article discusses the reasons behind why the state’s decision to introduce a Class 1 third language was controversial. “Decline in number of schools and teachers in Maharashtra but increase in student enrollment: Report” (January 2025): Analysis of discrepancies in state’s education data despite increase in the number of students. 3. Human Rights and Social Issues “Aanchal Mamidawar Was Brave After Her Family Killed Her Boyfriend” (December 17, 2025) – A deeply personal and hard-hitting article/opinion column on the “crime of love” and honor killings in modern India. “‘People don’t respect the disabled’: Meet the man who has become the face of racist attacks against Indians” (November 29, 2025) – Profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online bullying, highlighting issues of disability and cyberbullying. Distinctive style Soham is known for his vision of civil liberties. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized, whether students fighting for university democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents fighting crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his contributions to “Breathless Pune”). He is adept at linking Pune’s hyperlocal issues to broader national conversations about law and freedom. X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 …Read more

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