National Science Day in India is celebrated every year on February 28 to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by renowned physicist CV Raman in 1928. In 1930, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the phenomenon of light scattering – a well-known innovation called the Raman effect. Educational institutions across India organize events on this day to commemorate the discovery of Nobel laureate CV Raman.
What is the Raman effect?
According to Britannica, the Raman effect refers to the phenomenon of a change in the wavelength of light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. When a beam of light passes through a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, most of the scattered light is of unchanged wavelength, but a small fraction is of different wavelengths than the incident light, which occurs due to the Raman effect.
History and Significance of National Science Day
In 1986, the Government of India declared 28 February as National Science Day to promote scientific awareness. Schools and colleges organize numerous events that highlight the importance of science and promote scientific thinking among students and the future generation of the nation.
National Science Day 2026 theme
The theme of this year’s National Science Day celebration is ‘Women in Science Catalyzing Viksit Bharat’.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Ministry of Science and Technology will organize a grand celebration at the national level at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on the theme: “Women in Science: Catalyzing Viksit Bharat.” The theme recognizes the role of female researchers and innovators in achieving scientific progress.
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune (IISER Pune) is organizing a series of public engagement activities and science programs on its campus to mark the occasion. From interactive science shows and demonstrations, science quizzes and sessions to exhibitions, there is a range of events lined up for the day. To celebrate India’s scientific heritage and significant contribution of CV Raman, The Raman Research Institute (RRI) is organizing an ‘Open Day’ today, featuring engaging programmes, scientific demonstrations and interactive activities.
Celebrating 98 years of the discovery of the Raman effect, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh addressed a gathering at the INSA Auditorium in New Delhi on Friday, February 27, where he spoke about the growing representation of women in research, leadership and innovation-driven sectors. He emphasized that the transformation of India’s scientific environment requires both political support and institutional commitment.
Several key initiatives were launched during the program, including the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster and the ANRF-Venture Center Outreach Initiative. The Mission Innovation India Report was also released along with the book Indigenous Architecture of Northeast India.
