National Science Day 2024: Date, History, Significance, and Theme

Every year, National Science Day is observed on February 28, to celebrate the scientific achievements and discoveries that have changed the world. The theme for 2024 National Science Day is Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat', which was released by the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh on February 6, 2024. This year's theme emphasizes the commitment of India towards innovation and self-reliance in science and technology. This day is observed to celebrate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, discovered by Sir C.V. Raman, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930.

National Science Day 2024: Highlights

National Science Day 2024: History

• In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) recommended the Central Government to designate February 28 as National Science Day.

• The NCSTC requested for this day (February 28), as on this date, a renowned Indian scientist, Sir C.V. Raman discovered the 'Raman Effect' in 1928.

• Later, in 1930, he was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the 'Raman Effect'.

• The first National Science Day was celebrated on 28th February 1987.

• On this day, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) also announced National Science Popularization Awards to recognize individuals for their contributions in the field of science and communication.

National Science Day 2024: Theme

• On February 6, 2024, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the theme for National Science Day 2024, ‘'Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat'.

• This theme emphasizes the commitment of India towards innovation and self-reliance in science and technology.

• From 1999, the National Science Day has been celebrated with specific themes, which are as follows:

List of National Science Day themes:

National Science Day 2024: Collaboration

The theme for the National Science Day for 2024 is the collaborative efforts of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Who is CV Raman?

• Sir CV Raman was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.

• He was the son of a teacher who taught physics and mathematics and was raised in an academic environment from an early age.

• He completed his Master's in Physics at Presidency College, Madras in 1907.

• He was involved in research in the area of optics and atomic physics.

• He was the first Asian to get the Nobel Prize in Physics and the first Bharat Ratna awardee.

  • He is best known for his advanced theory of the scattering of light.

• He was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1957.

• A lunar crater, 'Raman', was named after Sir CV Raman.

What is the Raman Effect?

• In 1930, Physicist CV Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the Raman Effect.

• The Raman Effect is an inelastic scattering of light by matter, which results in a shift in the frequency of the scattered light.

• The Raman Effect forms the basis for Raman spectroscopy.

• It is used by chemists and physicists to gain information about materials.

• The study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation is known as Spectroscopy

National Science Day 2024: FAQ

Q1. National Science Day is observed on which date?

Ans: National Science Day is observed annually on February 28.

Q2. What is the theme for the National Science Day 2024?

Ans: The theme for National Science Day 2024 is 'Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat’.

Q3. Why National Science Day is observed on February 28?

Ans: The NCSTC requested to celebrate National Science Day on February 28, as on this date, renowned Indian Physicist, Sir C.V. Raman discovered the 'Raman Effect' in 1928.

Q4. What are the scientific glories of India in 2023?

Ans: 1. India’s Chanrayaan-3 on the South Pole region of the Moon; COVID Vaccine development by India; CSIR launched Aroma Mission which aims to increase the income of the farmers through the cultivation of high-value and high-demand aromatic crops by about Rs. 30,000 to 60,000/ha/year.; and Launch of Aditya L1, to study sun climate.