Virtual Reality Theatre Set to launch at National Science Centre, Delhi

The National Science Centre (NSC) in Delhi is set to unveil its state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) Theatre on January 17, 2026. Located at Pragati Maidan, this new facility promises to transport visitors into captivating virtual worlds, enhancing India's growing ecosystem of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) applications in learning and entertainment.

The inauguration, scheduled for 11:00 AM, will be led by Shri D. K. Singh, Director of the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Joining him as Guest of Honour is Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, the accomplished Indian astronaut and Mission Pilot of the AXIOM-4 Mission, who will share insights from his pioneering microgravity experiments and international collaborations. The event will also feature Dr. Rama Jayasunder, Professor and Head of the Department of NMR at AIIMS, New Delhi, and Chairperson of the NSC Delhi Executive Committee. Adding to the excitement, a panel exhibition titled “From Earth to Orbit: Exploring Space Together” will open to the public, spotlighting India's advancements in space exploration.

At the heart of the launch is an interactive session called “Meet the Astronaut,” designed for nearly 400 school students. Here, Group Captain Shukla will recount his experiences in human spaceflight, discuss challenges of life in space, and engage in a Q&A on future missions and career paths in STEM fields. This initiative aims to ignite scientific curiosity among the youth, emphasizing India's role in global space science and fostering experiential learning.

The VR Theatre itself is engineered for immersion, featuring high-resolution VR headsets, stunning 3D visuals, and motion chairs that simulate real-time movements for a lifelike experience. Visitors can embark on virtual expeditions through outer space, deep oceans, and adventurous realms, making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging. As part of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, this addition complements existing attractions like the Immersive Dome and 3D shows, positioning NSC Delhi as a hub for tech-driven science communication.

This launch comes at a pivotal time for AR/VR in India, where adoption in education is surging. VR labs are now operational in over 2,500 schools, enabling virtual explorations in subjects like science and history, while AR enhances learning in more than 8,000 classrooms with 3D visualizations. A landmark partnership between EON Reality and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is set to deliver immersive XR experiences to 89 million students, transforming traditional textbooks into interactive lessons on devices as simple as mobile phones. Pilot programs for metaverse classrooms are underway in 500 institutions, allowing remote collaboration in 3D environments. In museums and beyond, AR brings artifacts to life, and VR is used for training in healthcare and tourism, reflecting a market driven by digital education and entertainment. With VR adoption in Indian schools jumping from 7% in 2021 to 38% today, experts predict half of all schools could integrate AR or VR by 2027