• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of the 108th edition of the Indian Science Congress in Nagpur through video conferencing.

• The previous edition of the Indian Science Congress, a key event in the science calendar, was held in Bengaluru in January 2020. 

• The five-day 108th session of ISC will take place at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, which is celebrating its centenary this year.

The origin of ISCA

• The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is a premier scientific organisation established in 1914. 

• The ISCA has been promoting science and inculcating the spirit of science through its multifarious activities.

• ISCA owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British chemists namely Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon. It occurred to them that scientific research in India might be stimulated if an annual meeting of research workers somewhat on the lines of the British Association for the Advancement of Science could be arranged. 

• The first meeting of the Congress was held from January 15 to 17, 1914, in Kolkata. From this modest beginning with 105 and 35 papers presented at the first session, the ISCA has grown into a strong fraternity with more than 60,000 members.

• The ISCA meets in the first week of January in an annual congress of scientists, science administrators, policymakers and the general public to give a stronger impetus and a more systematic direction to scientific inquiry, to promote the interaction of societies and individuals interested in science in different parts of the country and to obtain a more general attention to the objects of pure and applied sciences.

• The ISCA brings together scientists both from India and abroad for mutual interaction in the cause of national development. 

Objectives of ISCA:

i) To advance and promote the cause of science in India.

ii) To hold an annual Congress at a suitable place in India.

iii) To publish such proceedings, journals, transactions and other publications as may be considered desirable.

iv) To secure and manage funds and endowments for the promotion of science including the rights of disposing of, or selling all or any portion of the properties of the association.

• The ISCA has instituted several awards to honour and encourage scientists — mainly through special endowments received from individuals and groups and also from its own funds.

108th Indian Science Congress

• The focal theme of this year’s science congress is ‘Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment’. 

• The annual congress will see discussions on issues of sustainable development, women empowerment, and the role of science and technology in achieving these objectives.

• A special programme to showcase the contribution of women in science and technology will also be held with lectures by renowned women scientists.

• The plenary sessions will feature Nobel laureates, leading Indian and foreign researchers, experts and technocrats from a wide variety of fields, including space, defence, IT and medical research. 

• The technical sessions will showcase path-breaking and applied research in agriculture and forestry sciences, animal, veterinary and fishery sciences, anthropological and behavioural sciences, chemical sciences, earth system sciences, engineering sciences, environmental sciences, information and communication science & technology, material sciences, mathematical sciences, medical sciences, new biology, physical sciences, and plant sciences.

• The event will also see a Children’s Science Congress, organised to help stimulate scientific interest and temperament among children. 

• The Farmers Science Congress will provide a platform to improve the bio-economy and attract young people to agriculture.

• The Tribal Science Congress will be a platform for the scientific display of indigenous ancient knowledge systems and practices and will focus on the empowerment of tribal women.

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