National Science Day is celebrated in India on 28 February each year to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman on 28 February 1928.
For his discovery, Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
National science day is celebrated as one of the main science festivals in India every year during which students of the schools and colleges demonstrate various science projects and national and state science institutions demonstrate their latest researches. The celebration also includes public speeches, radio-TV talk shows, science movies, science exhibitions based on themes and concepts, watching the night sky, live projects, research demonstration, debates, quiz competitions, lectures, science model exhibitions and many more activities. It is celebrated with immense passion by Radio Astronomy Centre(RAC),Ooty and Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at Khodad, Pune, Maharashtra which are world-famous telescopes that are operated at low radio frequencies by the NCRA (National Centre for Radio Astrophysics) established by the TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) under the umbrella of DAE. A variety of activities is organized by the RAC and GMRT at the ceremony of National Science Day celebration in order to recognize their leading research activities in the field of radio astronomy and astrophysics. Variety of programmes is also held for the public and the student community in order to popularize science and technology in the country. The Minister of Science and Technology gives a message through his speech on this day to students, scientists, researchers and the general public of the nation.
National Science Day is being celebrated every year 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 human welfare. 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.
The theme of the year 1999 was “Our Changing Earth”.
The theme of the year 2000 was “Recreating Interest in Basic Science”.
The theme of the year 2001 was “Information Technology for Science Education”.
The theme of the year 2002 was “Wealth from Waste”.
The theme of the year 2003 was “50 years of DNA & 25 years of IVF – The blue print of Life”.
The theme of the year 2004 was “Encouraging Scientific Awareness in Community”.
The theme of the year 2005 was “Celebrating Physics”.
The theme of the year 2006 was “Nurture Nature for our future”.
The theme of the year 2007 was “More Crop Per Drop”.
The theme of the year 2008 was “Understanding the Planet Earth”.
The theme of the year 2009 was “Expanding Horizons of Science”.
The theme of the year 2010 was “Gender Equity, Science & Technology for Sustainable Development”.
The theme of the year 2011 was “Chemistry in Daily Life”.
The theme of the year 2012 was “Clean Energy Options and Nuclear Safety”.
The theme of the year 2013 was “Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security”.
The theme of the year 2014 was “Fostering Scientific Temper”.
The theme of the year 2015 was “Science for Nation Building”.
The theme of the year 2016 is on "Scientific Issues for Development of the Nation".
On 28 February 2009, five institutions in the country were presented National Award for Science Communication by the Indian Department of Science and Technology. These awards are presented to recognize the efforts of individuals and government and non-government bodies for the popularization of science in the country.
The highest award in 2009 was given to the Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre for its contribution to science-related learning material and conducting training programs on science education.
A Festival of Measurement and Space Fair was held at the Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi.
Dr. Pramod Kumar Mohapatra, G.S. Unnikrishnan Nair and Ms. Meenu Khare were awarded ₹ one lakh (1,00,000) for their individual contributions to the field. Jidnyasa Trust of Thane also received one lakh rupees (₹1,00,000) for setting up a science activity center. It is to make people aware about the science and technology.
