Background and Establishment
- Founded: 1876 by Dr. Mahendralal Sircar
- Significance: First research institution in Asia established by Indians for cultivation of modern science through original research
- First Trustee Board: Included Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and Kesab Chandra Sen, with Dr. Sircar as first Honorary Secretary
Notable Scientists Associated with IACS
- Jagadish Chandra Bose — Pioneer in wireless communication
- Meghnad Saha — Known for Saha ionization equation
- S.N. Bose — Developed Bose-Einstein statistics
- Sir C.V. Raman — Nobel Prize in Physics 1930 for Raman Effect
The Raman Effect
- Definition: Inelastic scattering of light by molecules, resulting in a shift in wavelength and energy of scattered photons
- Process: When monochromatic light strikes a substance:
- Most photons scatter elastically (no change in energy)
- A tiny fraction exchanges energy with molecules
- These emerge with different wavelengths
- Significance: India's first Nobel Prize in Science (1930)
Recent Inaugurations (2026)
- PECVD System: Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition system for fabrication of India's first amorphous silicon solar cell
- RETINA Centre: Research Entrepreneurship for Translation, Innovation and NAvigation — aims to link fundamental research with entrepreneurship, startups, and societal applications
Constitutional/Policy Context
- Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives
- Promotes self-reliance in solar energy technology
- Strengthens research-to-industry ecosystem in India