Ahmedabad emerged as a hub of young scientific talent this week as Adani International School (ADIS), Shantigram, hosted the IRIS National Fair 2025–26 (Cohort 2) from February 6 to 8, bringing together some of the country’s most promising school-level innovators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The three-day national event drew 75 student researchers from 12 states and 24 cities, along with educators, scientists and mentors, transforming the campus into a vibrant arena of ideas, experiments and problem-solving. Far from being a conventional exhibition, the fair blended student research showcases, mentoring sessions, symposia and public engagement, giving participants a taste of real-world scientific inquiry beyond textbooks and classrooms.
Addressing the valedictory ceremony, Smt Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja, Hon’ble Minister of State for Education, Government of Gujarat, stressed the importance of introducing research and innovation early in a student’s academic journey, in line with the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“Research should not be seen as something that begins only at universities. It starts in schools like Adani International School. When students learn to question, experiment and even learn from failure, they begin to develop a true scientific temperament. Our schools must evolve into incubators of ideas and solutions, not just centres of instruction,” she said.
Echoing this vision, Ms Namrata Adani, Promoter, ADIS and Director (Non-Executive), Adani Group, underlined the school’s focus on curiosity-driven learning. “At Adani International School, we believe learning must go beyond textbooks. Platforms like the IRIS National Fair give students the confidence to question, experiment and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges,” she said.
The programme began with a Principals’ and Educators’ Conference, which brought together school leaders from across Ahmedabad to discuss strengthening inquiry-based STEM teaching and experiential classroom practices. Over the next two days, students presented original research projects through curated exhibitions, supported by expert evaluation and structured mentoring.
The fair was formally inaugurated on February 7, marking the start of the competitive assessment. Serving as a qualifying platform for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2026, the event concluded with 15 projects winning Gold Medals and 10 receiving Silver Medals. The Gold Medal winners will now advance to the final selection round to compete for the chance to represent India on the global stage.
The valedictory ceremony was attended by senior leaders, including Ms Namrata Adani and Mr Amit Singh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Energy Business, Adani Group, who addressed the gathering on behalf of the diversified conglomerate.
By hosting the IRIS National Fair, ADIS reinforced its position as a leading institution committed to holistic education in Ahmedabad and Gujarat. The school has consistently combined academic rigour with strong performance in co-curricular and extracurricular domains, spanning STEM research, global competitions, sports, arts and leadership development, contributing meaningfully to the region’s evolving education ecosystem.
The successful conclusion of IRIS National Fair 2025–26 underlined a larger shift in Indian education: schools are increasingly becoming catalysts for early-stage research, collaboration and innovation, laying the groundwork for the country’s next generation of scientific thinkers.
The IRIS programme is an initiative of the EXSTEMPLAR Education Linkers Foundation, which works to promote and nurture scientific research among young innovators across India. It provides students from Grades V to XII a national platform and pathways to represent the country at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
