National Science Day is celebrated in India on 28 February each year to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman on 28 February 1928.
In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to designate February 28 as National Science Day.
The event is now celebrated all over India in schools, colleges, universities and other academic, scientific, technical, medical and research institutions. On the occasion of the first NSD (National Science Day) (26 February 2020 ) NCSTC announced the institution of the National Science Popularization awards for recognizing outstanding efforts in the area of science and communication.
The celebration also includes public speeches, radio, TV, science movies, science exhibitions based on themes and concepts, debates, quiz competitions, lectures, science model exhibitions and many more activities.
It is also celebrated to spread a message about the importance of science used in the daily life of the people. To display all the activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science for human welfare. It is celebrated to discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for the development in the field of science. To give an opportunity to the scientific minded citizens in India. To encourage the people as well as popularize 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”.[1]
- The theme of the year 2016 was on “Scientific Issues for Development of the Nation”.
- The theme of the year 2017 was “Science and Technology for Specially Abled Persons”[2]
- The theme of the year 2018 was “Science and Technology for a sustainable future.”
- The theme of the year 2019 was “Science for the People, and the People for Science”[3]
- The theme of the year 2020 was “Women in Science.”
- The theme of the year 2021 was ‘Future of STI: Impact on Education Skills and Work’.
- The theme for NSD of the year 2022 is ‘Integrated Approach in S&T for Sustainable Future’.
On 28 February 2009, five institutions in India were presented the ‘National Award for Science Communication’ by the Indian Department of Science and Technology (IDST). These awards are presented to recognize the efforts of individuals and government and non-government bodies for the popularization of science in India.
The highest award was given in 2009 to the Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre for its contribution to science-related learning material and conducting training programs on science education.
