National Council for Science and Technology Communication


The National Council for Science and Technology Communication is a scientific programme of the Government of India for the popularisation of science, dissemination of scientific knowledge and inculcation of scientific temper. Established under the Department of Science and Technology, it "is mandated to communicate Science and Technology to masses, stimulate scientific and technological temper and coordinate and orchestrate such efforts throughout the country." Following the science communication plan introduced in the Sixth Five-Year Plan of India, NCSTC was established in 1982.

Objectives

NCSTC has three major objectives:
  1. For developing a building capacity for informed decision and promote scientific thinking to the Indian communities.
  2. For the development of society using scientific knowledge and organise programmes using different media to reach every citizen.
  3. To conduct outreach activities, including training in science and technology communication, awareness programmes, dissemination of scientific knowledge, award incentives, promote scientific research, develop international co-operation, while providing special attention to women.

    History

The Government of India in its Sixth Five-Year Plan in 1980 introduced an elaborate scheme for the promotion of science and technology. It constituted a Cabinet Committee on Science and Technology on 3 March 1981. Chaired by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the committee created Science Advisory Committee to the Cabinet. Following the proposals by SACC, three scientific bodies were established in 1982:
  1. National Biotechnology Board for the development applications of biotechnology such as agriculture, medicine and industry.
  2. National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board to promote employment among people in science and technology.
  3. National Council for Science and Technology Communication for popularisation and development of scientific temper among the people.
The council officially started functioning in 1984. As its first major activity, NCSTC organised the first national science festival of India named Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha in 1987.

Activities

The major activities of NCSTC are organising:
The council gives the following awards to science students, teachers and populisers on National Science Day: