Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Pratap Naik, a Class X student of PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya INS Mandovi, has brought pride to Goa by securing a place among the top 40 finalists at the prestigious National STEM Quiz 4.0 Grand Finale. The event was held at Gujarat Science City on March 25 and 26, 2026.
The competition, organised by the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology under the Department of Science and Technology Government of Gujarat, witnessed participation from more than 15 lakh students from across the country. The quiz is recognised as one of the major platforms encouraging young learners to deepen their understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Pratap reached the national finale after progressing through a rigorous multi stage selection process. The journey began with an online virtual round and moved through several competitive elimination levels, where only the highest scoring participants advanced to the next stage. His consistent performance through these rounds earned him a coveted place among the top 40 students at the national level.
The National STEM Quiz follows an innovative format designed to promote analytical thinking and problem solving skills. It is conducted in two categories, Junior for students of Classes 9 and 10 and Senior for students of Classes 11 and 12. Apart from the quiz competition, the programme also features specialised STEM learning camps that introduce students to advanced subjects such as artificial intelligence, coding, mathematics and science.
Participants in the competition also stand a chance to receive scholarships of up to ₹1.5 lakh along with exposure visits to leading educational and research institutions across the country.
Pratap Naik’s achievement at the national level highlights the growing talent among young students in Goa and serves as an inspiration for others to pursue excellence in STEM related fields.
