National Science Day: Know Why it is Celebrated on February 28, History, Significance

National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’. Government of India designated 28 February as National Science Day (NSD) in 1986.

On this day in 1928, Sir C.V. Raman announced the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930.

On this occasion, theme-based science communication activities are carried out all over the country. Many institutions organize open house for their laboratories and appraise students about career opportunities available in a particular research laboratory/ institution.

National Science Day 2022 Theme: “Integrated Approach in Science & Technology for Sustainable Future”

History and Significance: 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.

Purpose of the Celebration: The basic objective of observation of National Science Day is to spread the message of importance of science and its application among the people. National science day is celebrated as one of the main science festivals in India every year with following purpose-

• To widely spread a message about the significance of scientific applications in the daily life of the people,
• To display all the activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science for welfare of human being,
•  To discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for the development of the science,
• To give an opportunity to the scientific minded citizens in the country,
• To encourage the people as well as popularize the Science and Technology.

Department of Science and Technology (DST) acts as a nodal agency to support, catalyze and coordinate celebration of the National Science Day throughout the country in scientific institutions, research laboratories and autonomous scientific institutions associated with the Department of Science and Technology.

National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST has supported various programmes countrywide by giving grants to its State S&T Councils & Departments for organization of lectures, quizzes, open houses, etc.

The DST instituted the National Awards for Science Popularization in 1987 to stimulate, encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of science and technology communication and popularization as well as inculcate scientific temper among masses.

These awards are presented every year on National Science Day along with the SERB Women Excellence Award by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) supporting basic research in frontier areas of science and engineering.

It provides grants to women scientists below 40 years of age who have received recognition from any one or more of the National Academies such as Young Scientist Medal, Young Associateship and so on.

AWSAR award, an initiative of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to recognize the dissemination of Indian research in Science, Technology & Innovation being pursued by PhD Scholars and Post-Doctoral Fellows in popular science writing format, is also presented on the day.