History of the National Science Day
The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) requested the Central Government to designate 28, February 1986 as the National Science Day (NSD). It was done with a view to honor not just the achievements of Sir C.V. Raman but also of other scientists for their achievements in the scientific field.
Upon approval the National Science Day is celebrated all over India in schools, colleges, universities and other institutions. Following the first NSD in February 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.
Significance of National Science Day
The NSD is celebrated with a view 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 opportunity those citizens of India interested in science
- To foster and encourage interest in science and technology.
Themes of National Science Day 2022
Creating knowledge and understanding through science equips us to find solutions to today’s acute economic, social and environmental challenges and to achieving sustainable development and greener societies. As no one country can achieve sustainable development alone, international scientific cooperation contributes, not only to scientific knowledge but also to building peace.
Science policies are not enough. Science and engineering education at all levels and research capacity need to be built to allow countries to develop their own solutions to their specific problems and to play their part in the international scientific and technological arena.
Linking science to society, public understanding of science and the participation of citizens in science are essential to creating societies where people have the necessary knowledge to make professional, personal and political choices, and to participate in the stimulating world of discovery. Indigenous knowledge systems developed with long and close interaction with nature, complement knowledge systems based on modern science.
Water is fundamental for life and ensuring water security for communities worldwide is essential to peace and sustainable development. The scientific understanding of the water cycle, the distribution and characteristics of surface and groundwater, of urban water all contribute to the wise management of freshwater for a healthy environment and to respond to human needs.
Scientific knowledge of the Earth’s history and mineral resources, knowledge of ecosystems and biodiversity, and the interaction of humans with ecosystems are important to help us understand how to manage our planet for a peaceful and sustainable future.
Since 1999, the 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 |
Awards given on National Science Day
Along with the National Science Popularization awards, national awards in other categories are also given on the National Science Day. Some of the them are as follows:
1. National S&T Communication Awards
National awards for science communications are presented every year to recognize outstanding achievements of individuals and institutions.
Award categories
- Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Communication
- Outstanding Effort in S&T Communication through Books & Magazines
- Outstanding Effort in S&T Popularization among Children
- Outstanding Effort in Translation of Popular S&T Literature
- Outstanding Effort in S&T Communication in the Print Medium
- Outstanding Effort in S&T Communication in Electronic Medium
Each award comprises an attractive cash prize, a memento and a scroll, presented every year at the national function on 28th February, the National Science Day.
For more information visit: https://dst.gov.in/scientific-programmes/st-and-socio-economic-development/national-council-science-technology-communication-ncstc
2. Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) awards.
“Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR)” is an initiative that aims to disseminate Indian research stories among the masses in an easy to understand and interesting format to a common man. Under this initiative, PhD Scholars and Post-Doctoral Fellows (PDFs) in Science and Technology (S&T) streams would be encouraged to write at least one popular science article during the tenancy of their fellowship, and to participate in a national competition.
Award categories
- Selection of best 100 entries of popular science stories and prizes.
- For PhD researchers: The initial screening of the entry will be done by Expert Panel. 100 entries will be selected.
- For Post doc fellows: Twenty entries would be selected from articles submitted by PDFs relating to their line of research.
- Selection of top stories
- For PhD researchers: The top three articles/stories will be selected from the leading 100 stories.
- For Post doc fellows: One outstanding article/story will be selected from the leading stories.
Each award comprises an attractive cash prize, a memento and a scroll, presented every year at the national function on 28th February, the National Science Day.
For more information visit: https://www.awsar-dst.in/
3. SERB Women Excellence Awards
Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) has launched a scheme called SERB Women Excellence Award for young women scientists (below age 40) who have excelled in science and got recognition from any of the National Science Academies in India as given below.
- Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi
- Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore
- National Academy of Science, Allahabad
- Indian National Academy of Engineering, New Delhi
- National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi
Each award comprises Research grant and overhead charges every year for a period of three years.
For more information visit: https://www.serbonline.in/SERB/Women_excellence
4. Rajendra Prabhu Memorial Appreciation Shield
Rajendra Prabhu Memorial Appreciation Shield for Outstanding Work in Science Media and Journalism
Award comprises an cash prize, a memento and a scroll, presented every year at the national function on 28th February, the National Science Day.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to National Science Day
What is the Raman Effect?
Raman is the inelastic scattering of a photon by molecules which are excited to higher vibrational or rotational energy levels. It is also called Raman scattering.
The Raman Effect forms the basis for Raman spectroscopy which is used by chemists and physicists to gain information about materials.
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.
Why is National Science Day celebrated?
The National Science Day is celebrated to encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of science and technology and inculcating scientific temper among the masses.
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