National Science Day is celebrated every year on 28 February to mark the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by Sir C.V. Raman on 28 February 1928.
It was this discovery that got Sir C.V. Raman a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
This article will give details about National Science Day within the context of the IAS Exam.
History of the National Science Day
The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) requested the Central Government to designate 28 February as National Science Day (NSD) in 1986. It was done with a view to honour not just the achievements of Sir C.V. Raman but also of other scientists for their achievements in the scientific field.
Upon approval, National Science Day is celebrated all over India in schools, colleges, universities and other institutions. Following the first NSD on Feb 28 1987, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication announced the creation of the National Science Popularization Awards which recognised individuals for their contributions in the realm of science and communication.
List of Important Days for UPSC Prelims.
Significance of National Science Day
The NSD is celebrated to spread the message about the significance of science and how it improves the daily lives of the common folk. In addition, its celebration also has the following objectives in mind.
- Display all activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science
- To provide an opportunity for those citizens of India interested in science
- To foster and encourage interest in science and technology.
National Science Day- Download PDF Here
Themes of National Science Day
Since 1999, National Science Day has been celebrated keeping in mind certain specific themes. They are as follows:
National Science Day
| Year | Theme |
| 1999 | Our Changing Earth |
| 2000 | Recreating Interest in Basic Science |
| 2001 | Information Technology for Science Education |
| 2002 | Wealth From Waste |
| 2003 | 50 years of DNA & 25 years of IVF – The Blueprint of Life |
| 2004 | Encouraging Scientific Awareness in Community |
| 2005 | Celebrating Physics |
| 2006 | Nurture Nature for our future |
| 2007 | More Crop Per Drop |
| 2008 | Understanding the Planet Earth |
| 2009 | Expanding Horizons of Science |
| 2010 | Gender Equity, Science & Technology for Sustainable Development |
| 2011 | Chemistry in Daily Life |
| 2012 | Clean Energy Options and Nuclear Safety |
| 2013 | Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security |
| 2014 | Fostering Scientific Temper |
| 2015 | Science for Nation Building |
| 2016 | Scientific Issues for Development of the Nation |
| 2017 | Science and Technology for Specially Abled Persons |
| 2018 | Science and Technology for a sustainable future |
| 2019 | Science for the People, and the People for Science |
| 2020 | Women in Science |
| 2021 | Future of STI: Impact on Education Skills and Work |
| 2022 | Integrated Approach in S&T for Sustainable Future |
| 2023 | Global Science for Global Wellbeing |
| 2024 | Indigenous Technology for Viksit Bharat |
Awards given on National Science Day
Along with the National Science Popularization awards, national awards in other categories are also given on National Science Day. Some of them are as follows:
- National S&T Communication Awards
- Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) awards,
- SERB Women Excellence Awards
- Rajendra Prabhu Memorial Appreciation Shield
The list of awardees for the year 2022 and their respective categories are given below:
National S&T Communication Awards (2022)
|
Category |
Awardee |
| National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication in general (Category-A) |
Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, Bengaluru |
| National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication through Print Media including Books and Magazines (Category-B) |
|
| National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Popularization among Children (Category-C) |
|
| 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 (Category- D) | Shri Tarun Kumar Jain, Jaipur |
| National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication through Innovative and Traditional Methods (Category E) | Shri Anjan Banik, Agartala |
| National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication in the Electronic Medium (Category F) | Shri Rakesh Andania, New Delhi |
Augmenting writing skills for articulating research (AWSAR) Award
| Outstanding Story (PDF category) | Dr Amritesh Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras |
| AWSAR Award: First Prize (PhD category) | Ms. Neha Parashar, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna |
| AWSAR Award: Second prize | 1. Ms. Anis Fatema, International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad 2. Mr. Ankush Wankhade, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri |
| AWSAR Award: Third prize | 1. Ms. Monica Pandey, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. 2. Ms. Rohini B, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore |
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Women Excellence Award
| Dr Ruta Kale |
| Dr Ashima Bhaskar |
| Dr Debashree Chakraborty |
| Dr Mudrika Khandelwal |
| Dr Binita Pathak |
| Dr Nitika Sandhu |
| Dr Chandni U |
| Dr Neha Khatri |
| Dr Yogita K Adlakha |
Frequently Asked Questions Related to National Science Day
What is the Raman Effect?
Why is National Science Day celebrated?
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