National Technology Day is annually observed across India on 11 May to honour the remarkable achievements of the nation’s scientists, engineers, innovators, and others involved in the field of Science and Technology, and celebrate and recognise the major technological advancements of India.
- This Day also commemorates the anniversary of the successful nuclear test (Pokhran II) in Pokhran, Rajasthan under the assigned code name Operation Shakti in 1998.
11 May 2024 marks the 26th year of National Technology Day.
- The theme for this annual event is chosen by the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Background:
i.The then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee designated the 11 May of every year as the National Technology Day in 1998, to commemorate the Pokhran II nuclear tests conducted by the Indian Army.
ii.The Council for Technology organised the 1st National Technology Day on 11 May 1999.
Pokhran II Tests:
i.India conducted 5 nuclear tests of advanced weapon designs on 11 and 13 May 1998 at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert.
ii.The first 3 detonations took place simultaneously on 11 May 1998. These included:
- a 45 kiloton (kt) thermonuclear device;
- a 15 kt fission device; and
- a 0.2 kt sub-kiloton (i.e. less than 1 kt) device.
iii.The 2 nuclear devices detonated simultaneously on 13 May 1998 were also in the sub-kiloton range of 0.5 and 0.3 kt.
Note: The successful testing in Pokhran made India the 6th country in the world to possess nuclear technology.
2024 Events:
i.Technology Development Board (TDB) celebrated National Technology Day on May 11th, 2024, at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Auditorium, ITO in New Delhi, Delhi. The event’s theme was ‘Promoting Clean and Green Technologies for a Sustainable Future‘.
ii.Eminent scientists, dignitaries, and thought leaders discussed strategies for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient nation.
Highlights:
i.23 students representing 20 projects selected to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) showcased innovative projects.
ii.These finalists will represent India Regeneron ISEF from May 11-17, 2024, in Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA) fostering idea exchange and showcasing cutting-edge science.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024:
i.The Government of India (GoI) has introduced the prestigious “Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar” (RVP) to honour remarkable contributions to Science, Technology, and Innovation.
ii.This national award acknowledges the brilliance and dedication of researchers, technologists, and innovators.
Award Categories:
i.Vigyan Ratna (VR); ii.Vigyan Shri (VS); iii.Vigyan Yuva: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) Award; and iv.Vigyan Team (VT) Award.
Domains of Recognition:
The awards cover 13 domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and more.
