National Science Day

28^th February is celebrated as National Science Day (NSD) in India. NSD is celebrated to commemorate discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, which led to Sir C.V. Raman winning the Noble Prize.

When was the day declared as National Science Day?

In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to designate 28 February as National Science Day which the then Govt. of India accepted and declared the day as National Science Day in 1986. The first National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987.

What is Raman Effect?

Raman Effect is a phenomenon in spectroscopy discovered by the eminent physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman in 1928.  After two years in 1930, he got Nobel Prize for this remarkable discovery and this was the first Nobel Prize for India in the field of Science. while working in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata.

Raman Effect is a change in the wavelength of light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. When a beam of light traverses a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small fraction of the light emerges in directions other than that of the incident (incoming) beam. Most of this scattered light is of unchanged wavelength. A small part, however, has wavelengths different from that of the incident light; its presence is a result of the Raman Effect.

NSD 2024

The theme of NSD-2024 is "Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat". The NSD Theme for this year’s celebration reflects a strategic focus on promoting public appreciation for Science, Technology and Innovation and accomplishments of Indian scientists to address challenges through home-grown technologies for over-all well-being.

The Theme not only marks a new era but also presents an opportunity for public and scientific fraternity, both domestically and internationally, to collaborate, work together, and contribute to the well-being of India and humanity as a whole. While emphasizing the importance of making India Atmanirbhar through science, it underscores the need to address subjects that hold significance for humanity as a whole.

In the wake of recent scientific achievements, it may be underscored that the rising trajectory of India over past 10 years is being witnessed globally. We are globally among the top five countries in scientific research publications, 40th in Global Innovation Index (GII) showcasing remarkable climb from 81st rank in 2015 and our patent filing has crossed 90,000 which is highest in two decades.

All this is due to strengthening of S&T ecosystem in the nation in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Astronomy, Solar & Wind Energy, Semiconductors, Climate Research, Space Research and Biotechnology. Indian scientific breakthroughs have reached from the lab to moon; with the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on south pole of moon, India became the first country to achieve this feat.

India is also acknowledged for robust vaccine development capacity, and it has been proved during COVID pandemic. India is now ready to match the global stride in Quantum Technology. The impact of Indian scientific breakthroughs is significantly enhancing the 'Ease of Living' for the common man.

National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) of Department of Science & Technology (DST) is nodal agency to support catalyze and coordinate celebration of the NSD throughout the country, particularly in scientific institutions & research laboratories.

NCSTC has supported various programmes countrywide by supporting its State S&T Councils & Departments for organization of lectures, quizzes, open houses, etc.

National Awards

DST instituted National Awards in 1987 to stimulate, encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of science popularization and communication and in promoting scientific temper.

The  National S&T Communication Awards, Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) awards, and SERB Women Excellence Awards and  Rajendra Prabhu Memorial Appreciation Shield for outstanding work in science media and journalism are also being conferred on NSD.

1. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T Communication is being conferred on Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, Bengaluru. Award consists of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakh), a memento and a citation.
2. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T Communication through Print Media including Books and Magazines is being conferred on 1. Prof. Mayadhar Swain, Bhubaneswar; 2. Dr. Biju Dharmapalan, Thiruvananthapuram. Award consists of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lakh), a memento and a citation.
3. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T Popularization among Children has been conferred on 1. Dr. Krishnarao Appasani, Hyderabad. 2. Dr. Uday Kumar Kakroo, New Delhi. Award consists of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lakh), a memento and a citation.
4. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Translation of Popular Science & Technology Literature in languages mentioned in the eighth schedule of
   the Constitution of India and in English - Shri Tarun Kumar Jain, Jaipur
5. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T through Innovative and Traditional methods is being conferred on Shri Anjan Banik, Agartala. Award consists of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lakh), a memento and a citation.
6. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication in the Electronic Medium has been conferred on Shri Rakesh Andania, New Delh
7. Augmenting writing skills for articulating research (AWSAR) Award is conferred on
   • Outstanding Story (PDF category) - Dr Amritesh Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
   • AWSAR Award: First Prize (Ph.D. category) - Ms. Neha Parashar, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna
   • AWSAR Award: Second prize (Ph.D. category) - 1. Ms. Anis Fatema, International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad 2. Mr. Ankush Wankhade, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri
   • AWSAR Award: Third prize (Ph.D. category) - 1. Ms. Monica Pandey, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. 2. Ms. Rohini B, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore
8. Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Women Excellence Award

Source : DST