PM Modi to inaugurate ₹115-crore Mysuru planetarium on Nov 13 with world-first curved screen
Synopsis
On 13 November, PM Modi will inaugurate a ₹115-crore planetarium in Mysuru that claims a world first — curved-screen projection technology. Backed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's MPLAD funds and anchored under the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, the facility targets five lakh annual visitors and marks a rare science-infrastructure milestone for a Tier-2 Indian city.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ₹115-crore Mysuru planetarium on 13 November 2026 , after 3 pm .
The facility claims to feature the world's first curved-screen projection technology of its kind.
It has two domes , a seating capacity of 150–160 people , and is projected to draw 5 lakh visitors annually .
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman contributed ₹5 crore via MPLAD funds ; additional funding came from the Swadesh Darshan scheme and the Department of Science and Technology .
The planetarium comes under the Indian Institute of Astrophysics , Bengaluru, and is built on Mysuru University land.
Modi will also inaugurate Bengaluru's Namma Metro Pink Line and participate in a Miyawaki forest programme at K.C.
Layout, Mysuru, on the same day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a newly constructed ₹115-crore planetarium in Mysuru, Karnataka, on 13 November 2026, featuring what is claimed to be the world's first curved-screen projection technology of its kind. The announcement was made on Monday, 9 November by Mysuru-Kodagu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar at a press conference in the city.
Key Details of the Planetarium
The facility will house two domes with a combined seating capacity of approximately 150 to 160 people. It is expected to conduct two to three shows daily and attract around five lakh visitors annually — a figure comparable to the annual footfall at the planetarium in Bengaluru. Entry tickets will be available for tourists, while students will also be permitted access as part of its educational mandate.
The planetarium comes under the purview of the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics and has been built on land belonging to Mysuru University, whose management will be involved in day-to-day operations. The complex includes classrooms and training rooms for educational programmes, training sessions, and science camps.
The Curved-Screen Technology Edge
MP Yaduveer drew a pointed comparison with the Prague planetarium, which was installed by Konica Minolta and features a flat-screen system. The Mysuru facility, by contrast, will feature curved-screen technology — described as a first of its kind globally. The claim, as stated at the press conference, positions the planetarium as a world-class scientific landmark rather than a standard regional facility.
Funding and Key Stakeholders
The project has been funded through multiple channels. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman contributed ₹5 crore from her Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds — the MP described the planetarium as her 'dream project'. Additional funding has come through the Swadesh Darshan scheme and the Department of Science and Technology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
Modi's Full Mysuru Itinerary on November 13
The planetarium inauguration is scheduled for after 3 pm on 13 November. It forms part of a broader visit by Prime Minister Modi to Karnataka that day. He will first inaugurate the Pink Line of Namma Metro in Bengaluru before travelling to Mysuru. At K.C. Layout, Modi will also participate in a Miyawaki forest development programme under the Bharat One project, developed with Japanese collaboration, where he will plant a sapling.
The planetarium inauguration venue has a capacity of around 10,000 people, and the district administration is making arrangements for the event. The BJP has pledged cooperation to ensure its successful conduct. Decisions on entry pass distribution are yet to be finalised by the administration.
Significance for Mysuru
MP Yaduveer described the dual programmes as transformative for Mysuru's standing in science, education, and tourism. This comes amid a broader national push to strengthen science infrastructure in Tier-2 cities. Mysuru, already a prominent heritage and tourism destination, stands to gain a significant new footprint in scientific outreach — a sector that has historically been concentrated in metro cities. The facility's affiliation with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics lends it institutional credibility that could attract research collaborations over time.
Point of View
Yet India's track record on science outreach facilities in Tier-2 cities is patchy: opening-day crowds rarely translate into sustained annual footfall. The five-lakh visitor projection draws directly from Bengaluru's numbers, but Bengaluru is a metro with a far larger feeder population. Whether Mysuru, a tourism-dependent city with seasonal footfall patterns, can replicate that figure year-round is the real test of this investment's impact.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will PM Modi inaugurate the Mysuru planetarium?
PM Modi will inaugurate the planetarium in Mysuru, Karnataka, after 3 pm on 13 November 2026. The venue has a capacity of around 10,000 people, and the district administration is managing event arrangements.
What is special about the Mysuru planetarium's technology?
The facility claims to feature the world's first curved-screen projection technology of its kind. This sets it apart from the Prague planetarium, which uses a flat-screen system installed by Konica Minolta, according to Mysuru-Kodagu BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar.
How was the ₹115-crore planetarium funded?
The project received funding from multiple sources: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman contributed ₹5 crore from her MPLAD funds, while additional support came through the Swadesh Darshan scheme and the Department of Science and Technology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
Who manages the Mysuru planetarium and can the public visit?
The planetarium comes under the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics and is built on Mysuru University land, with the university management also involved in its functioning. Tourists will require entry tickets, while students will be permitted access; two to three shows are expected daily.
What else is PM Modi doing during his Karnataka visit on November 13?
Ahead of the Mysuru planetarium inauguration, PM Modi will inaugurate the Pink Line of Namma Metro in Bengaluru. He will then travel to Mysuru, where he will also participate in a Miyawaki forest development programme at K.C. Layout under the Bharat One project, involving Japanese collaboration.
