Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday felicitated 18 students here from Classes 6 to 11 who topped the National Science Talent Search Examination conducted to spot future scientists.The exam was conducted with the efforts of various organisations which included Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), Vigyan Prasar -- an autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) -- the National Council of Education and Research Training (NCERT), and the HRD Ministry. The winners were selected after series of tests conducted at state and national levels which narrowed down to 20 students, who took part in a two-day camp at the Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi (IIT-Delhi)."A total of 1.4 lakh students from 1,472 schools from all the 29 states and five union territories from Classes 6-11 participated in the exam. Out of this, 2,400 students were declared as state level winners," a statement from the HRD Ministry read. "Through 20 camps, 264 students were selected as national level winners from 2,400 students. These 264 students then underwent a two-day national camp at IIT-Delhi, under an academic committee of eminent scientists, which selected 18 students as national science talents of the year named as HIMALAYANS," it said.Javadekar while addressing the students encouraged them to "follow their passion because if we don't follow our passion, we don't reach the destination we want in life". He also urged their parents to "motivate their children for their bright future". One of the major objectives of the programme is to evolve students' affinity towards science and encourage them to take science as their future career, said the statement.