The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and its laboratories marked National Science Day 2026 across the country with lectures, laboratory visits, live demonstrations and public outreach initiatives aimed at fostering scientific awareness among students and the wider community.
Observed under the theme Women in Science Catalyzing Viksit Bharat, this year’s celebrations highlighted the critical role of women scientists in advancing innovation and contributing to the vision of a developed and self reliant India.
In New Delhi, the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology and the Science Communication and Dissemination Directorate at CSIR Headquarters organised a special commemorative programme honouring Nobel Laureate C V Raman and his discovery of the Raman Effect, which laid the foundation for modern spectroscopy.
An exhibition tracing the life, scientific journey and pioneering contributions of C V Raman was installed along C V Raman Marg, drawing members of the public and promoting awareness of India’s scientific heritage.
Adding an experiential dimension to the celebration, scientists from CSIR National Physical Laboratory including Subashis Panja, Shibu Saha and Vidyanand Singh, along with Soumik Siddhanta and Himanshu Yadav, a doctoral scholar from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, conducted a live demonstration of the Raman Effect. The demonstration enabled participants to directly observe the physical phenomenon that transformed analytical science and continues to support advancements in materials research, chemistry, medicine and industrial applications.
The demonstration was followed by a detailed lecture session jointly delivered by scientists from CSIR National Physical Laboratory and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The experts explained the scientific principles behind the Raman Effect, its historical significance and its contemporary applications across disciplines. The interactive session was attended by school students and undergraduate students from Jamia Hamdard, who engaged actively with the scientists through questions and discussions.
Students also participated in guided visits to laboratories at the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, where they were introduced to ongoing research projects and advanced scientific facilities. The exposure offered insight into current developments in genomics, integrative biology and translational research.
As part of a public outreach initiative, the Science Communication and Dissemination Directorate at CSIR Headquarters, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, arranged for the illumination of Qutub Minar in the evening. The iconic monument was lit up to commemorate National Science Day and to underline the transformative role of science in national development.
Across the country, CSIR laboratories organised parallel events including lectures, science exhibitions, student interactions and demonstrations aligned with the theme of women’s leadership in science. The activities were designed to encourage scientific temper, curiosity and innovation among young learners.
Through these coordinated nationwide programmes, CSIR reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening science communication, inspiring the next generation of researchers and aligning scientific advancement with the broader national goal of building a science driven Viksit Bharat.
