Every year on February 28, classrooms, laboratories, and science centres across India mark a moment that changed modern physics. National Science Day honours the announcement of the Raman Effect by Sir C. V. Raman in 1928, a discovery that earned him the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics โ the first Nobel in the sciences awarded to an Indian scientist.
In 2026, the occasion carries added significance. India is intensifying its focus on youth-led innovation, self-reliance in research, and positioning science at the centre of national development. The day connects a landmark historical breakthrough with an urgent present-day ambition.
Why National Science Day is celebrated on February 28?
February 28 is not C. V. Raman’s birthday. It marks the specific date in 1928 when Raman observed that light changes its wavelength after passing through a transparent material. That observation, later named the Raman Effect, gave scientists a new way to study matter at the molecular level without damaging it.
The Government of India officially declared February 28 as National Science Day in 1986, acting on a recommendation from the National Council for Science and Technology Communication. Celebrations began the following year in 1987, with the aim of bringing scientific awareness beyond laboratories and into public life.
What Is the Raman Effect?
The Raman Effect describes how light scatters after colliding with molecules, changing its energy and frequency in the process. According to Britannica, when a beam of light passes through a transparent chemical compound, most scattered light retains its original wavelength โ but a small portion shifts, and that shift reveals the molecular composition of the substance.
This gave rise to Raman spectroscopy, a technique now used across medicine, forensic science, chemistry, material science, and environmental research. What makes Raman’s achievement especially significant is that he accomplished it using basic laboratory equipment, guided by careful observation rather than elaborate resources.
What Is the Theme for National Science Day 2026?
The theme for National Science Day 2026 is “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat.” It recognises the contributions of women researchers and innovators to India’s scientific progress and ties into the country’s broader vision of becoming a developed nation through science and technology.
The Department of Science and Technology hosted a national-level celebration at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi under this theme. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh addressed a gathering at the INSA Auditorium in New Delhi on February 27, speaking about the growing presence of women in research, leadership roles, and innovation-driven sectors. “The transformation of India’s science landscape requires both policy support and institutional commitment,” he said.
Several initiatives were launched at the event, including the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster and the ANRF-Venture Centre Outreach Initiative. The Mission Innovation India Report and a book titled Indigenous Architecture of Northeast India were also released.
How Is National Science Day Celebrated Across India?
Celebrations take place in schools, colleges, universities, and research institutions nationwide. Events include science exhibitions, fairs, quizzes, debates, poster competitions, public lectures by scientists, and live demonstrations of Raman spectroscopy.
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune is hosting interactive science shows, demonstrations, quiz sessions, and exhibitions on its campus. The Raman Research Institute is holding an Open Day featuring scientific demonstrations and public engagement activities to mark 98 years since the discovery.
Institutions such as CSIR laboratories and mobile science units like Vigyan Rail extend the reach of these celebrations to communities beyond major cities.
Why the Day Still Matters
National Science Day is not a tribute to one man or one moment. It is an annual reminder that scientific thinking โ asking questions, testing ideas, and trusting evidence โ remains essential to national progress. In 2026, with women in science at the centre of the theme, the message extends further: that India’s scientific future depends on the full participation of all its people.
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