National Science Day is an annual Indian holiday that honors the achievements of physicist C.V. Raman. Celebrated on February 28, this day marks his groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect, which explains how light interacts with objects on Earth, allowing us to perceive colors with the human eye.
History
The establishment of National Science Day is a tribute from the people of India to their renowned scientist, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. A gifted child, Raman was ahead of his peers and earned a bachelor’s degree by age 16. Although he initially pursued a career in accounting, he followed his passion for physics and began teaching at Calcutta College in 1917.
Raman’s fascination with the colors of the sea and icebergs during his travels in Europe led him to question existing explanations for why water appears blue. Through experiments, he discovered that the color was not simply due to atmospheric scattering, but rather the result of light refracting through ice and water. In 1928, Raman presented his findings to the global scientific community. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics and brought international recognition to Indian science.
Interesting Facts
- Studies have shown that white cars are statistically less likely to be involved in accidents compared to cars of other colors.
- The way we perceive color is subjective—what looks yellow to us may not appear the same to another species, or even to another person.
- The human eye is capable of distinguishing around 10 million different colors and shades.
How to Take Part
On National Science Day, learn more about C.V. Raman and his research. Try conducting simple experiments related to color and light, many of which are available online.
Share the significance of this discovery on social media. Congratulate your friends and colleagues from India, as it was an Indian scientist whose work changed our understanding of how we see the world.
When is National Science Day in 2026?
National Science Day is observed on February 28 each year.
Observations
| Weekday | Month | Day | Year |
| Saturday | February | 28 | 2026 |
| Sunday | February | 28 | 2027 |
| Monday | February | 28 | 2028 |
| Wednesday | February | 28 | 2029 |
