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30 July 2026

IACS and the history of Indian science

The topic provides valuable historical context on the institutionalization of science in India and the contributions of figures like Mahendralal Sircar and C.V. Raman, which can be used to enrich answers regarding the intellectual history of the freedom struggle or the evolution of scientific research in India.

1 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • The Bengal Renaissance (18th-19th century) was a period of intellectual, social, and cultural reform that laid the foundations for modern India.
  • Mahendralal Sircar (1833-1904) was a key figure who advocated for scientific self-reliance during the colonial era.
  • Sircar argued that the cultivation of physical sciences was essential for the intellectual development of the Indian mind.
  • The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) was established on July 29, 1876, as India's first national institution dedicated to scientific research by Indians.
  • C.V. Raman conducted his pioneering research at IACS while serving as a government officer, eventually discovering the 'Raman effect' in 1928.
  • C.V. Raman became the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work conducted at IACS.
  • IACS served as a model for institutionalizing scientific inquiry in India, challenging the lack of colonial support for native scientific research.

Questions

  1. Discuss the role of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in fostering scientific self-reliance during the colonial period. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The Bengal Renaissance was not merely a cultural movement but a catalyst for the institutionalization of modern science in India. Elaborate on this statement with reference to the vision of Mahendralal Sircar. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. When was the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) established?

  2. Who was the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize in Physics?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-30/iacs-and-the-history-of-indian-science