15 Programs for High School Students in India
If you're a high school student looking to explore academic interests beyond what's available during the school year, a structured program can be a good option to explore. These programs often combine coursework, research, or project-based work with mentor guidance, helping you build skills, gain exposure to new material, and develop connections. Whether your interests lie in AI, journalism, sustainability, public policy, or entrepreneurship, these programs can help you test out a field before deciding to pursue it further.
Why should you attend a program in India?
India offers programs through universities, IIT-linked initiatives, research institutions, and media organizations. Depending on the program you choose, you could work on an independent research paper, build AI or coding projects, prototype a product, or intern with a local enterprise, with a few strong online options available as well. Whether you're based in India or coming from abroad, you can find a program suited to your interests and experience level.
To help you get started, we’ve picked 15 programs for high school students in India that are worth considering.
If you’re looking for summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span AI and coding, academic research, journalism, public policy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, mathematics, and vocational exploration, so students in India with a wide range of interests can find a relevant option.
Several programs are free or low-cost, including Kode With Klossy (free), Veritas AI and Lumiere (financial aid available), and IISER Bhopal Summer Outreach Camp (Rs 2,000 registration), while residential programs, such as Plaksha YTS and Krea Summer School, carry higher fees but offer scholarships.
Several programs are fully virtual and open to students in India regardless of location, including Veritas AI, Lumiere Research Scholar Program, Stanford SUMaC, and Kode With Klossy, while in-person programs are based across cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mohali.
Application deadlines vary widely, with early deadlines including SUMaC (February 2), Ashoka YSP (February), and IISER Bhopal (April 5), while programs, such as Veritas AI, Lumiere, The Caravan, and Lend A Hand India, accept rolling applications year-round.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 10-15-week cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI is designed for high school students who want to move beyond basic curiosity about artificial intelligence and begin working with AI, machine learning, and data science early on. If you are new to the field, the AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts through a bootcamp-style format that includes real-world projects. Students who already have some background can choose the AI Fellowship, where you work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university on an independent project. This allows you to explore AI through areas that may connect with your interests, such as healthcare, finance, computer science, social impact, or data analysis. You will also learn how to frame a technical question, build a project around it, and communicate your findings clearly.
2. Internships at The Caravan
Location: New Delhi
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 2-3 months; year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; specific eligibility criteria may differ based on each position
The Caravan’s internship program for high school students in India is suited for those interested in journalism, publishing, media, politics, culture, and editorial work. Depending on the role, you may contribute to areas such as editorial research, fact-checking, photo research, design, social media, video editing, Hindi content, business, or editorial management. The experience can help you understand how a long-form magazine is produced, edited, marketed, and circulated in a professional media environment. You will also see how different teams contribute to the final publication, from research and writing to visuals and production support. For students considering communication, political science, English, design, or media studies, this can provide direct exposure to the publishing industry.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can find more details about the application here
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to work on an independent research project under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. You can choose from a wide range of subjects, including psychology, economics, physics, computer science, data science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This remote research program for high school students in India can be a solid option if you want to experience what academic research looks like before college, from identifying a research question to reviewing sources and developing a formal paper. The mentorship is one-on-one, so your project can be shaped around your interests, skill level, and long-term academic goals. You will also learn how to think more deeply about evidence, methodology, argument-building, and written presentation.
4. Ashoka University – Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Ashoka University, Haryana
Fees: YSP: INR 49,500; YSP Advanced: INR 85,000 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Edition 1: May 18 – 29; Edition 2: June 1 – 12
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Students who are in grades 9-12 in May of the intake year can apply.
Ashoka University’s summer program for high school students in India gives you a short but structured introduction to liberal arts and sciences at the university level. You can explore fields such as data science, economics, entrepreneurship, psychology, computer science, international affairs, writing, and policy through interactive classes and guided discussions. Alongside lectures, you will take part in workshops, group projects, presentations, and peer-led activities that mirror the collaborative style of university learning. The residential format also gives you a glimpse into campus life, helping you understand what studying at a liberal arts institution may feel like.
5. Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) – High School Achievers
Location: Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi
Cost: Rs. 14,000 + taxes
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Bengaluru: May 3 –10 | Kolkata: May 31 – June 7 | Delhi: June 7 – 14
Application Deadline: April 5 (Bengaluru); April 19 (Delhi & Kolkata)
Eligibility: High school students under the age of 18
YLAC’s High School Achievers program is built for students who are interested in leadership, public policy, social change, and civic engagement. Over the course of the bootcamp, you explore themes such as identity, justice, privilege, governance, and social impact through debates, discussions, simulations, and hands-on activities. This program for high school students in India encourages you to think critically about issues around you rather than treating leadership as just public speaking or confidence-building. You also engage with ideas from political science, sociology, psychology, economics, and philosophy, making this program a strong option if you are considering humanities or social science pathways. Mentors and professionals help connect classroom-style discussions to real-world problem-solving and public life.
6. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISERB) – Summer Outreach Camp
Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Cost: Rs 2,000 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: May 4–9
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 9–12
IISER Bhopal’s Summer Outreach Camp gives high school students a closer look at science as it is studied and practiced in a research-focused university environment. You will attend interactive lectures, participate in laboratory sessions, and engage with topics across natural sciences, engineering sciences, and the humanities. The program goes beyond textbook learning by exposing you to advanced scientific equipment, campus facilities, and faculty-led discussions. Modules on science communication and the history of science also help you understand how scientific ideas are shared, debated, and connected to society. The camp is residential, giving you a short but meaningful glimpse of academic life on a science campus.
7. GEV International Summer Camp by UnivAssist
Location: Hamarapur, Maharashtra
Cost: $550
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: July (tentatively, based on previous year’s cohort)
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
The GEV International Summer Camp combines sustainability, culture, ecology, and leadership in a setting built around environmental awareness. You will explore topics such as conservation, social impact, community-building, and Indian cultural traditions through workshops, outdoor activities, and guided sessions. The program’s setting at Govardhan Ecovillage makes sustainability more tangible, since you are learning in a space designed around ecological living rather than only studying the topic in theory. Activities may also include yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and cultural immersion. You will develop critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills while reflecting on how communities can live more responsibly.
8. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu – Python Coding, AI Tools & Automations
Location: Jammu and Kashmir
Cost: Rs 11,799
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
IIT Jammu’s STEM program for high school students in India immerses you in coding through a practical, beginner-friendly format. You start with Python fundamentals, building logical thinking and problem-solving skills before moving into AI tools and basic automation workflows. The program is centered around guided projects that help you understand how digital systems work in real-life contexts. You may explore how AI tools support tasks like idea generation, content creation, decision-making, and workflow automation. The use of platforms such as n8n helps you see how apps, triggers, and actions can be connected to automate everyday processes.
9. Krea University – Krea Summer School
Location: Sri City, Andhra Pradesh
Cost: Rs 30,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 21–28
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
Krea Summer School introduces you to interdisciplinary learning across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, and technology. You can explore themed academic tracks that include subjects such as mathematics, psychology, politics, sociology, philosophy, entrepreneurship, finance, economics, AI, coding, and data science. The structure is ideal if you are interested in several fields and want to understand how they connect before deciding on a college major. Through academic sessions and experiential workshops, you will engage with university-style learning while building skills in communication, analysis, and self-leadership. The program also gives you a sense of what a liberal education can look like in the Indian higher education context.
10. Creya Learning – The i3 Program
Location: Hyderabad and Bangalore
Cost: Rs 23,600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22–28
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12, ages 13–18
Creya Learning’s i3 Program focuses on innovation, design thinking, technology, and entrepreneurship through a hands-on bootcamp format. You will work across areas such as robotics, IoT, AI, 3D design, app development, prototyping, and maker tools while learning how ideas move from observation to execution. The program for high school students in India places strong emphasis on problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and pitching, which makes it useful if you are interested in engineering, product design, start-ups, or applied technology. Through guided projects, you learn how to identify a problem, test possible solutions, build prototypes, and present your work to others. Sessions may also introduce business concepts such as market fit, pitch decks, and the basics of taking an idea toward impact. By the end, you will have project work and reflective outputs that show practical experience.
11. Plaksha University – Young Technology Scholars (YTS)
Location: Plaksha University campus, Mohali, Punjab
Cost: INR 1,05,000 + taxes (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 24 – June 7
Application Deadline: April 19 (round 3)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
Plaksha University’s Young Technology Scholars program is designed for students who enjoy asking how technology, engineering, science, economics, and mathematics can be used to solve real problems. The program begins with interdisciplinary exposure before allowing you to explore a track connected to areas such as engineering, biology, mathematics, or economics. You will work through hands-on projects, advanced workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions with academicians and industry professionals. The emphasis is on thinking from first principles, which means you are encouraged to break down complex problems. Alongside technical learning, the program also includes collaborative work and opportunities to express ideas through debates, music, and discussion.
12. Lend A Hand India Internships
Location: Multiple cities in India (10,000+ high schools in 24 states/union territories)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: 80+ hours (2 weeks full-time/1 month part-time); year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11 – 12
Lend A Hand India’s Project Pathways Internship introduces students to the working world through placements with small and micro enterprises near their schools or homes. You may gain exposure to environments such as retail stores, auto workshops, cafés, restaurants, electrical repair shops, financial services, bakeries, primary healthcare centers, or other local businesses. The purpose is to help you understand how everyday workplaces function, what practical skills different jobs require, and how professional responsibility looks outside a classroom. The program also encourages students to explore non-traditional roles, including technical and vocational fields that are often overlooked.
13. Innovation School at Maker’s Asylum
Location: Goa or virtual
Cost: Rs 150,000 (without accommodation) or 200,000 (with accommodation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Three sessions available yearly
Application Deadline: Rolling; open all year
Eligibility: High school students ages 13+
This innovation program for high school students in India at Maker’s Asylum is built around hands-on making, prototyping, and solving real-world problems through design and technology. You begin with virtual skill-building and mentorship before moving into project work that may involve electronics, robotics, sensors, woodworking, AI tools, digital fabrication, and product design. The program is especially relevant if you prefer learning by building rather than only studying concepts in theory. As you develop prototypes, you also learn how to experiment, test ideas, make improvements, and present your work clearly. The maker environment gives you access to mentors, tools, and a community of builders who understand how ideas become physical products.
14. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,750 (online) | $8,950 (residential); need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 64 students (online)
Dates: Online Session One: June 15–July 3 | Online Session Two: July 6–24
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who are at least 15 years old; participants who will be 18 years or older are not eligible for SUMaC residential but are eligible for SUMaC online
SUMaC is a rigorous mathematics program for students who want to study advanced, proof-based topics beyond the regular school curriculum. You will explore abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology through lectures, guided research, problem-solving sessions, and assignments. The workload is closer to what you might expect in a serious college-level math environment, so the program is best suited for students who already have a strong interest in mathematics. You will also engage in collaborative exploration and may complete a final project or research-style presentation.
15. Kode With Klossy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: NoneAcceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions available between June 2 and August 15
Application Deadline: March; dates can vary
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18 years are encouraged to apply
Kode With Klossy runs coding-intensive camps for girls and gender-expansive teens who want to build practical skills in computer science. You can choose from tracks such as artificial intelligence, data science, and web development, depending on your interests and experience level. Throughout the program, you may work with tools and languages such as Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Swift while building projects such as websites, chatbots, apps, and data visualizations. The curriculum also encourages you to think about technology more broadly, including accessibility, user experience, algorithmic bias, and responsible AI. Working with peers and mentors can make the experience especially helpful if you are looking for a supportive entry point into tech.
Frequently asked questions
1. What programs are available for high school students in India?
Options include AI and coding programs, such as Veritas AI, IIT Jammu Python and AI, and Kode With Klossy, academic research programs, such as Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Ashoka University YSP, innovation and entrepreneurship programs, such as Creya Learning i3 Program, Plaksha YTS, and Innovation School at Maker's Asylum, public policy and leadership programs, such as YLAC High School Achievers, and journalism and media programs, such as The Caravan internships.
2. Are there free or virtual programs for high school students in India?
Yes, Kode With Klossy is free and fully virtual, and Veritas AI and Lumiere Research Scholar Program offer need-based financial aid. Stanford SUMaC is available online for students in India, and The Caravan, Lend A Hand India, and sci-MI accept rolling applications and are accessible from multiple locations. IISER Bhopal is one of the most affordable in-person options at Rs 2,000.
3. Which programs are best for students in India interested in AI or technology?
Students interested in AI or technology might consider Veritas AI for independent AI research with a mentor, IIT Jammu's Python and AI program for a beginner-friendly introduction to coding and automation, Kode With Klossy for project-based web development and data science, Creya Learning i3 for hands-on prototyping and maker tools, and Lumiere Research Scholar Program for independent research in computer science or data science.
4. When should I apply to programs for high school students in India?
The earliest deadlines are Stanford SUMaC (February 2) and Ashoka University YSP (February). Spring programs, such as YLAC (April 5) and IISER Bhopal (April 5), close in early April. Programs, such as Veritas AI, Lumiere, The Caravan, and Lend A Hand India, accept rolling applications year-round, so students can apply at any time.