In News:

National Science Day to be celebrated with theme ‘Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for Viksit Bharat’.

Key Details:

• Observed On: February 28 annually
• Purpose: To commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928. The day highlights the importance of science and promotes scientific temper among the public.
• Theme 2025:“Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for Viksit Bharat”
  • This theme reflects the vision of building a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by nurturing youth-led scientific innovation and aligning with India’s S&T ambitions for 2047.

About Sir C.V. Raman and Raman Effect:

• Born: 7 November 1888, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
• Major Contributions:
  • Discovered the Raman Effect (1928), for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, becoming the first Asian Nobel Laureate in science.
  • Founded: Indian Journal of Physics (1926), Indian Academy of Sciences (1934), Raman Research Institute (1948).
  • First Indian Director of IISc, Bangalore (1933).
  • Awarded Bharat Ratna in 1954.

Raman Effect:A phenomenon where light passing through a substance changes in wavelength due to interaction with molecular vibrations. This principle is used in Raman Spectroscopy, widely applied in material science, chemistry, forensics, and even nuclear waste analysis.

National Science Day – History & Celebrations:

• Established: 1986 by the Government of India
• First Observed: 1987
• Organisedby:National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
• Celebrations include lectures, open labs, science fairs, and awareness drives across the country, especially for students.

Key Developments in Science & Technology (2024-25):

• Innovation & IP Rankings:
  • 39th in Global Innovation Index 2024 (WIPO)
  • 6th in Global IP Filings
• Major Initiatives:
  • Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): Boosts R&D and supports innovation in EVs, materials, and emerging technologies.
  • National Quantum Mission (NQM): ?6003.65 crore mission to advance quantum computing, communication, and sensing.
  • National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):
    • Deployed 33 supercomputers, capacity: 32 PetaFlops.
    • Target: 77 PetaFlops using indigenous technology.
• Artificial Intelligence:
  • BharatGen: India’s first multilingual, multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) for Generative AI.
• STEM Inclusivity:
  • Programs like WISE-KIRAN support women in science.
  • PM Early Career Research Grant nurtures young researchers.
  • INSPIRE continues to attract school and college students to science careers.
• Geospatial & Climate Research:
  • Expansion of spatial thinking programs in schools (116 schools across 7 states).
  • Establishment of 4 Centres of Excellence for climate risk mapping to enhance disaster preparedness.