Devdiscourse News Desk | New Delhi | India
Image Credit: X(@PIB_India)
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today visited the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata, marking the celebration of 150 years of one of India’s oldest and most prestigious scientific institutions.
The visit commemorated the remarkable journey of the institution where Sir C.V. Raman carried out the groundbreaking research leading to the discovery of the Raman Effect, which earned India its first Nobel Prize in Science.
Addressing scientists, researchers, students, and members of the scientific community, Dr. Jitendra Singh described IACS as a “living symbol” of India’s scientific awakening before Independence and its continued scientific rise after Independence.
Founded in 1876 by Dr. Mahendralal Sircar, IACS became the first research institution in Asia established by Indians for the cultivation of modern scientific research. Over the decades, it has served as the intellectual home for several legendary Indian scientists, including:
Sir C.V. Raman
Jagadish Chandra Bose
Meghnad Saha
S.N. Bose
The Minister stated that the institution’s 150-year journey reflects the evolution of India’s scientific identity from colonial-era intellectual resurgence to the present-day innovation-driven vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
During the visit, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated an indigenously developed Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system created at IACS for fabrication of India’s first amorphous silicon solar cell.
The Minister described the development as a major example of India’s growing scientific self-reliance under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision.
Officials stated that the system, developed under the leadership of Prof. Ashok Kumar Barua, represents an important milestone in India’s renewable energy and solar technology research ecosystem.
The PECVD technology is expected to support advanced solar cell fabrication and contribute to India’s long-term clean energy ambitions.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also inaugurated the institute’s new incubation centre named:
“RETINA” — Research Entrepreneurship for Translation, Innovation and NAvigation.
The incubation centre aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world applications by promoting:
Scientific entrepreneurship
Startup culture
Technology commercialization
Industry collaboration
Innovation-driven research
The Minister emphasized that India’s scientific institutions are increasingly integrating fundamental research with entrepreneurship and societal applications.
According to him, the future of Indian science lies in transforming laboratory discoveries into affordable, scalable technologies capable of addressing national priorities such as:
Healthcare
Clean energy
Sustainable development
Advanced materials
Emerging technologies
As part of the programme, Dr. Jitendra Singh paid floral tributes to the busts and statues of:
Dr. Mahendralal Sircar
Sir C.V. Raman
Prof. Meghnad Saha
The Minister also visited the institute’s archival collections and scientific exhibition galleries showcasing IACS’s historical contributions and ongoing research activities.
The programme was attended by IACS Director Prof. Kalobaran Maiti, senior scientists, faculty members, researchers, students, and distinguished scientific personalities.
Speaking at Mahendra Lal Sircar Hall, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the lasting significance of the discovery of the Raman Effect at IACS.
He described the discovery as one of the defining milestones in India’s scientific history and said it continues to inspire generations of Indian scientists and researchers.
Sir C.V. Raman’s Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 marked the first Nobel Prize awarded to an Indian scientist for scientific research conducted entirely in India.
The Minister noted that IACS has evolved into a leading centre for frontier scientific research across multiple disciplines, including:
Physical sciences
Biological sciences
Materials science
Computational science
Interdisciplinary technologies
He also appreciated the institution’s contributions in emerging research areas such as:
Quantum materials
Nanotechnology
Artificial intelligence
Battery materials
Cancer biology
Environmental technologies
Recent scientific work at IACS has reportedly included research related to:
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy treatment
Toxic waste remediation
Photodetectors
Biosensors
Sustainable energy materials
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India’s scientific institutions are entering a transformative phase aligned with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
He emphasized that future growth in India’s knowledge economy will depend on stronger collaboration between:
Academia
Research institutions
Industry
Startups
Innovation ecosystems
The Minister said India’s scientific and technological progress will play a crucial role in positioning the country among the world’s leading innovation-driven economies in the coming decades.
The Minister also praised IACS for its outreach initiatives aimed at nurturing scientific curiosity and expanding participation in science among:
School students
Women
Rural communities
Officials noted that strengthening scientific temperament and encouraging broader social participation in science remains important for India’s long-term innovation capacity and technological advancement.
As IACS completes 150 years, the institution continues to stand as one of India’s most important scientific heritage centres while also evolving into a modern research and innovation hub supporting the country’s future scientific ambitions.
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