Soumyashree Thanapati, a Class X student of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV), Jharmunda, in Balangir district, has secured the first position at National Science Seminar 2026 held at National Science Centre in New Delhi recently.Organised by National Council of Science Museums under Union ministry of culture, the national-level competition saw Soumyashree emerge as the winner for her presentation on ‘Indian Energy Basket 2047: Prospects and Challenges’. Her achievement marked Odisha’s return to the top position in the competition after a gap of 13 years, according to Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan (OAVS).OAVS project director Smita Rout credited her success to the guidance of her principal, science teacher and mentor, along with the support of her parents, school and Balangir district administration. Regional Science Centre, Odisha, also extended support during her preparation. The achievement has brought recognition to the state and highlighted the potential of students from rural schools, she said.Ravenshaw secures top ranks in UPSC geo-cientist examSeven students, including six alumni and a research scholar from the geology department at Ravenshaw University, have secured top ranks in UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2026, bringing laurels to the institution and Odisha.Farheen Naaz topped the Geological Survey of India (GSI) category, while Piyush Plaban Parida and Abhipsa Panigrahi bagged the first and second ranks, respectively, in the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) category.Other successful candidates included Samarjeet Sahoo, who secured GSI rank 3; Debashish Sahoo (CGWB rank 12); Subhalaxmi Das (GSI rank 15); and Abhilash Roul (CGWB rank 18).Congratulating the achievers, the higher education department said their success had made Ravenshaw University and Odisha proud. The achievement highlights the university’s contribution to preparing students for specialised careers in earth sciences and govt scientific institutions, it said.Vigilance Awareness Week at IIT-BBSIIT Bhubaneswar (IIT-BBS) observed Vigilance Awareness Week from Oct 26 to Nov 1, with the theme ‘Probity for Prosperity’, to promote transparency, ethical practices and awareness against corruption.The week-long observance began with faculty members, staff and students taking an integrity pledge. A session on conduct rules, conflict of interest and preventive vigilance was also organised.Justice Sashikanta Mishra of Odisha High Court delivered a special lecture, emphasising that probity was not merely a legal obligation but a moral responsibility. He said integrity was essential to safeguarding public trust and ensuring sustainable prosperity.IIT director Shreepad Karmalkar stressed the importance of collective commitment to transparency and institutional accountability.