Key Facts and Data Points

  • Date of observance: 28 February every year.
  • First celebration: 1987 (designated as National Science Day in 1986).
  • 2026 Theme: Women in Science: Catalyzing Viksit Bharat.
  • C.V. Raman: Nobel Prize in Physics, 1930; discovered the Raman Effect (1928).
  • Raman Effect: Inelastic scattering of light leading to wavelength shift; basis of Raman spectroscopy.
  • Applications of Raman Spectroscopy: Drug detection, nuclear waste analysis, material identification, forensic science, biomedical diagnostics.
  • Institutions founded by Raman:
  • Raman Research Institute (1948), Bengaluru
  • Indian Journal of Physics (1926)
  • Indian Academy of Sciences (1934)
  • Honours: Bharat Ratna (1954), Knighted (1929), Fellow of the Royal Society (1924), Lenin Peace Prize (1957).

Background and Context

National Science Day was instituted to foster a scientific temper among citizens, a constitutional directive under Article 51A(d). The day marks the historic discovery of the Raman Effect, which validated the quantum nature of light and placed Indian science on the global map.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

  • Scientific Temper: Reinforces the constitutional duty of citizens to develop scientific temper and inquiry.
  • Women in Science: The 2026 theme aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), emphasizing the need for gender‑balanced participation in research and technology.
  • Innovation & Economy: Enhancing women’s participation can boost R&D output, drive inclusive growth, and contribute to a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
  • Policy Implications: Calls for targeted schemes – scholarships for women researchers, reservation in research fellowships, mentorship programmes, and gender‑sensitive workplace policies.

Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions

  • Article 51A(d) – Fundamental Duty: "...to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform."
  • National Science Policy (2020): Emphasises gender equity in scientific workforce.
  • Women’s Reservation Bill (proposed): Though primarily for legislative bodies, its spirit influences gender‑balanced representation in all sectors, including science.

How to Leverage This Knowledge for UPSC

  • Prelims: Remember dates, theme, Raman’s contributions, and applications of Raman spectroscopy.
  • Mains: Analyse the impact of women’s participation in science on economic development, discuss policy measures, and link constitutional duties to contemporary scientific initiatives.