INDIAN NATIONAL
SCIENCE ACADEMY
Science academies play a crucial role in promoting, recognizing and
rewarding excellence. Another important task is to publish journals, organize
scientific discussions and bring out proceedings and monographs.
The academies promote public awareness and understanding of science.
Acting as links between the scientific community and the planners,
they advise the governments on critical issues. Importantly they serve as
forums for interaction among scientists within and outside the country.
In this section the growth of the Indian National Science Academy and its
functions are highlighted.
CHAPTER XXXIX
INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE
ACADEMY
FOUNDATION
T
he Indian National Science Academy (INSA) is
the apex body of Indian scientists representing
all branches of science and technology. Its objectives
encompass promotion of science in India including
its application to national welfare, safeguarding the
interests of the scientists, establishing linkages with
international bodies to foster collaboration and
expressing considered opinion on national issues.
The foundation of the Academy in 1935, originally as
the National Institute of Sciences in India (NISI), was
the outcome of the joint endeavours of several organizations and individuals. The Indian Science
Congress Association (ISCA), the active association
of Indian scientists of the time, played a leading role
in its genesis.
Towards the end of the 1930Õs, the Government
of India addressed letters to various provincial
Governments, scientific departments, learned
societies, universities and to the ISCA seeking their
opinion on the desirability of forming a National
Research Council which would adhere to and cooperate with the International Research Council and
its affiliated Unions. This proposal was considered
by various eminent scientists whose views
regarding the composition and functioning of such
a national council were put up in the form of a
resolution to the ISCA.
In May 1933, an editorial was published in the
journal, Current Science, outlining the views of its
editors about the founding of an Indian Academy
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PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
of Sciences. In September of the same year, the
Board of Editorial Cooperators of Current Science
issued a questionnaire on the subject and invited
opinions of Indian scientists. The scientists of
Kolkata who jointly considered the questionnaire
and in view of the accepted position of the ISCA as
an all-India scientific body, made a formal request
that all proposals for establishing the Academy be
included in the agenda of the General Committee
of the ISCA for discussions at its Mumbai session.
In this session, Meghnad Saha, in his
Presidential address, referred in detail to the
proposal to form an Indian Academy of Sciences
and suggested a scheme for its formation on the
model of the Royal Society of London. It was
thereafter discussed in a special meeting of the
General Committee of the ISCA on January 3, 1934.
The General Committee constituted the Academy
Committee. The report of the Academy Committee
was placed by L.L. Fermor, President of the 20th
Session of the ISCA before a Special Meeting of the
Joint Committee, on January 3, 1935. The
recommendations of the Academy Committee were
accepted after a unanimous resolution by the ISCA
and the foundation of the National Institute of
Sciences of India (NISI), as an all-India body of
scientists, was thus laid. An inaugural meeting of
the NISI was held on January 7, 1935 at Calcutta
University. The Institute started functioning with
its Headquarters at the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1
Park Street, Kolkata, from that day.
INAUGURAL MEETING
T
he Inaugural Meeting of the National Institute of Sciences of India was held in the Senate Hall of the
University of Calcutta at 5.30 P.M. on Monday January 7, 1935. J.H.Hutton, President of the Indian
Science Congress, was in the chair, supported by L.L.Fermor, President of the National Institute of
Sciences of India. His Excellency Sir John Anderson, Governor of Bengal, had been invited to inaugurate
the National Institute.
A large number of scientists had gathered from all parts of India. The eminent public men of
Kolkata present at the meeting included Judges of the High Court, Members of the Government of
Bengal, the Mayor of Kolkata, the Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University, representatives of the
educational and scientific institutions, the learned societies, and the Chambers of Commerce of
Calcutta, University teachers and many others. Among those present mention may be made of: Sir
Harold Darbyshire, Hon. R.N.Reid, Hon. Sir B.L.Mitter, Hon. Nawab Bahadur, Sir K G M Faroqui,
Hon. Khan Bahadur Abdul Aziz, Syama Prasad Mukerjee, Hon. Kunwar Jagadish Prasad, Nalini
Ranjan Sarkar, and 62 (out of 125) Foundation Fellows of the Academy.
J.H Hutton, while inviting His Excellency Sir John Anderson, Governor of Bengal, to
inaugurate the Institute, stated: Your Excellency, a year ago under the guidance of Professor Saha, the
Indian Science Congress appointed a Committee to draft a constitution for and to take the necessary step
to bring into being, a national scientific body which should perform for India some of those functions which
the Royal Society performs for Great Britain. That Committee, not without meeting difficulties, has carried
out the work for which it was appointed, and the constitution drafted has been accepted by the Indian
Science Congress. It remains to call the body into existence, and I have the honour, as representing the
Indian Science Congress in 1935 of asking Your Excellency to inaugurate the National Institute of Science
of India.
John Anderson delivered a brief address and then inaugurated the National Institute. Thereafter
L.L. Fermor, President of the National Institute of Sciences of India delivered his Inaugural Address.
Both these addresses are preserved in the archives of the academy. After the PresidentÕs address, S.P.
Agharkar, one of the Secretaries of the National Institute, read out the list of names of the learned
bodies that had sent representatives and messages of congratulations to the National Institute on its
inauguration. Good wishes for the success of the National Institute had been received by the President
from the following members of the Governor GeneralÕs Council: the Hon. Sir James Grigg, the Hon.
Sir Fazl-i-Husain, and the Hon. Sir Frank Noyce and also from three eminent scientists of India, Sir
J.C. Bose, Sir Martin O.Forster and Sir P.C.Ray.
The historic meeting was concluded by S.P.Agharkar proposing a vote of thanks followed by a
joyful celebration.
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INSA’S OBJECTIVES
T
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The Convention Centre and the Jubilee building of
the Academy premises.
The issue of Government recognition of the NISI
as the representative body of Indian scientists came
up ten years after its foundation. After due deliberation
and discussions, the Government decided to recognize
the National Institute as the premier scientific society
representing all branches of science in India in October,
1945. The Headquarters of the National Institute were
moved to Delhi University to a large hall presently
located in the Department of Botany in May 1946. The
Government commenced providing increased grants
to the Institute to meet expenses on travel,
publications, research fellowships, and for allocating
grants-in-aid to other scientific societies for bringing
out their publications. A capital grant for the building
of the Headquarters was also sanctioned in 1948. The
foundation stone of the building was laid by Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on April 19, 1948. The
building was ready for occupation in 1951 on Bahadur
Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi. NISI was designated the
adhering organization to the International Council for
Science (ICSU) on behalf of the Government of India in
January, 1968.
The name of the National Institute of Sciences
in India was changed to Indian National Science
Academy (INSA) in 1970.
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PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
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he main objectives of the Indian National Science
Academy are:
Promotion of scientific knowledge in India
including its practical application to problems
of national welfare.
Co-ordination among scientific academies,
societies, institutions, the Government scientific
departments and services.
To act as a body of scientists of eminence for the
promotion and safeguarding of the interests of
scientists in India and to present internationally
the scientific work done in the country.
To act through properly constituted national
committees, in which other learned academies
and societies may be associated, for undertaking
scientific work of national and international
importance which the Academy may be called
upon to perform by the public and by the
Government.
To publish such proceedings, journals, memoirs
and other publications as may be found
desirable.
To promote and maintain the liaison between
sciences and humanities.
To secure and manage funds and endowments
for the promotion of science.
To perform all other acts that may assist in, or be
necessary for the fulfilment of the above
mentioned objectives of the Academy.
ORGANIZATION AND FELLOWSHIP
T
he Academy consists of Foundation Fellows,
Fellows and Foreign Fellows.
a Foundation Fellows were those 125 scientists
who had accepted nomination before the
inauguration of the Academy.
b Indian citizens who are elected according to the
rules of election are admitted as Fellows.
c Foreign Fellows are those persons who are
eminent for their knowledge of, or contributions
to science, or the welfare thereof, and domiciled
outside the territorial limits of India, who have in
some way contributed or can contribute to the
progress of science in the country. Citizens of all
countries other than India are eligible for the
Foreign Fellowship of the Academy.
The task of administration, direction and
management of the affairs of the Academy is
entrusted to a Council composed of the Board of
Officers of the Academy, namely, a President and six
Vice-Presidents and 20 other Fellows making a total
of 27. The Vice-Presidents have collective as well as
individual responsibilities assigned for various
categories such as: Fellowship Affairs; Science
Promotion; Resource Management; International
Affairs; Publications/Informatics; and Science and
Society. In addition, there is provision for additional
members of the Council, one each to be nominated
by the co-operating Academies i.e., the Asiatic
Society, Kolkata; the National Academy of Sciences
(India), Allahabad and the Indian Science Congress
Association, from amongst the Fellows of the
Academy. Further, The Government of India
Indira Gandhi arriving to inaugurate the Golden
Jubilee Celebrations of the Academy in January 1984.
nominates one member from amongst the Fellows
of the Academy as its representative on the Council.
The Council oversees all activities of the
Academy through various standing committees,
advisory committees and sub-committees appointed
for the purpose. The Council deals with all decisions
in relation to election of Fellows, Foreign Fellows,
selection of INSA Young Scientists, INSA Medal
Awardees, matters relating to local chapters and
changes or modifications of the rules and regulations
of the Academy and other matters as may be referred
to the Academy from time to time.
Election of Fellows: Nomination for election to
Fellowship of the Academy is proposed, seconded
and supported by a minimum of four Fellows. Of
these, at least three should have personal
knowledge of the scientific attainments of the
nominee. The valid nomination papers are
scrutinised by concerned discipline-wise Sectional
Committees and/or interdisciplinary committees
and their recommendations are considered by the
Council. The list drawn up by the Council, not
exceeding 30, is circulated to the Fellowship for
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389
exceptional cases. So far the Academy had the honour
of electing Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, J.R.D.
Tata and Satish Dhawan as Fellows in this category.
ACTIVITIES
Local Chapters: Besides the activities at its
headquarters, the Academy functions in other parts
of the country through its Local Chapters located in
nineteen cities. Fellows residing in the vicinity of
these cities attend meetings of the Local Chapters.
These Chapters provide financial assistance for
arranging lectures by eminent scientists and for
organizing programmes of popularization of science
and inculcation of scientific temper among the
public. A few of the INSA Medal Lectures are also
delivered at the Local Chapters.
Top: Professor Bruce Alberts, President, US National
Academy of Sciences delivered the 5th Jawaharlal
Nehru Birth Centenary Medal Lecture in January
2001.
Bottom: A young scientist recieving the INSA Medal
from the then President of the Academy.
voting. The Fellowship of those elected becomes
effective on January 1 of the ensuing year.
In addition to the election of Fellows which is
restricted to persons holding Indian citizenship,
Foreign Fellowship proposals are received from the
Fellowship. These are considered by the Council
whose recommendations in this regard are
circulated to the Fellowship for voting.
A special provision in the rules of the Academy
enables election of outstanding persons who have
rendered conspicuous service to the cause of science
or whose election to the Academy would be of signal
benefit. This is exercised by the Council only in
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PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
Academy Awards and Lectures: Since 1950, the
Academy has been conferring medals and awards to
eminent scientists in various disciplines. The
Academy has instituted 54 medals and endowment
lectureship of different categories. On an average,
around 20 awards are conferred every year. The
recipients of these various medals/lectureships are
expected to deliver lectures on subjects of their choice.
INSA Medal for Young Scientists: The INSA Young
Scientists Award (instituted in 1974), considered to
be the highest recognition of promise, creativity and
excellence among young scientists, below the age
of 32 is made annually to those distinguished for
these attributes as evidenced by their research work
carried out in India. This was the first initiative in
India to encourage promising young workers. So
far, 401 young scientists have been recognized.
Many of them have established a rewarding
scientific career and are continuing to make
outstanding contributions, receiving further
recognition in India and abroad.
Each awardee is considered for start-up research
support. Also, the awardee, within five years of
receipt of award, is encouraged for a visit abroad
with full support for presenting a research paper in
an important conference, and/or for participating in
collaborative/training research project. As part of
their career development, those young scientists who
have been unable to obtain suitable employment,
may be considered for an interim Fellowship.
Science and Society Interface: The Academy has
taken the responsibility of expressing its opinion on
scientific issues concerning society at large and has,
in the process, helped in the public understanding of
science. Over the years, through discussions and
analyses, the Fellows of the Academy have expressed
opinions on specific issues for the benefit of the
scientific community, policy planners and society at
large. Mention may be made of a few issues, such as:
the Concern for Conserving the Silent Valley;
Problems of Failure of Irrigation Structures, Dams
and Strata under Reservoir; Higher Education in
Science; Health of Science in India; Energy Options
in India; Intellectual Property Rights in Biology;
Emerging Communication Technology; Guidelines
for Care and Use of Animals in Scientific Research;
Compulsory Iodination of Salt to Prevent Iodine
Deficiency Disorders; and a report on Transgenic
Plants and World Agriculture. A report on the last
theme was prepared under the auspices of the Royal
Society of London, the US National Academy of
Sciences, the Indian National Science Academy, the
Brazilian Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy
Professor D.S. Kothari, Past-President of INSA,
distributing prizes to school children on the National
Science Day.
of Sciences, the Mexican Academy of Sciences and
the Third World Academy of Sciences.
The Academy organizes a series of popular
lectures for the benefit of the public at Delhi and at
other local chapters. These lectures are very popular
among school children who have opportunities for
question-answer sessions. A major event is the
National Science Day held on February 28 every year,
to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect.
CROSSING BARRIERS: INTERNATIONAL
COLLABORATION AMONG SCIENTISTS
International Council for Science (ICSU): ICSU as
body representing worldÕs scientists has had a
chequered history. Through the efforts of scientists
in European countries an International Association
of Academies (IAA) was started in 1899. Its
objectives were to initiate and promote scientific
undertakings of common interest and to facilitate
scientific interactions among the various countries.
World War I interrupted IAA. A fresh beginning was
made in 1918-19 to found the International Research
Council (IRC) with membership open to a National
Research Council of any country of the world. In 1931
the name of IRC was changed to International
Council for Scientific Unions (ICSU). After 68 years
it was renamed International Council of Science but
the acronym ICSU was retained. The then
Government of India formally joined IRC and five of
its associated unions viz Geodesy and Geophysics ,
Geography, Astronomy, Biological Sciences and
Radio-Telegraphy in 1930. This programme was
eventually transfered to INSA in 1968.
ICSU is a non-governmental organization
comprising 20 international scientific unions, 66
national members, 17 scientific and four national
associates. Since its creation in 1931, ICSU has
pursued a policy of non-discrimination, affirming
the rights of all scientists throughout the world -without regard to race, religion, political philosophy,
ethnic origin, citizenship, sex or language -- to
participate in international scientific activities.
The principal objective ICSUÕs is to encourage
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391
International Union of History & Philosophy of
Science (IUHPS),
● International Union of Theoretical & Applied
Mechanics (IUTAM),
● International Mathematical Union (IMU),
● International Union of Microbiological Societies
(IUMS),
● International Union of Nutritional Sciences
(IUNS),
● International Union of Pure & Applied Physics
(IUPAP),
● International Union of Pure & Applied
Biophysics (IUPAB),
● International
Union of Pharmacology
(IUPHAR),
● International Union of Radio Science (URSI),
● Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research
(SCOR),
● Committee on Space Research (COSPAR),
● Committee on Data for Science & Technology
(CODATA),
● Scientific Committee on Problems of the
Environment (SCOPE),
● Committee on Science & Technology in
Developing Countries (COSTED),
● Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics
(SCOSTEP),
● Scientific Committee on Lithosphere (SCL),
● World Climate Research Programme (WCRP),
● Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
(SCAR),
● International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
(IGBP).
INSA constitutes National Committees for
various unions/interdisciplinary bodies and joint
initiatives in India. Each National Committee
functions for a three-year tenure. The functions of
ICSU National Committees are: exchange of ideas
and communication of scientific information with
related national and international bodies;
development of standards in methodology,
nomenclature and units; organizing international
conferences/congresses /symposia /meetings of
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Some members of INSA delegation visiting Chinese
Academy of Sciences in July 1986.
international scientific activity for the benefit of
humankind. It is implemented through initiating,
designing and coordinating international scientific
research projects. The members of the ICSU family
organize international conferences, congresses,
symposia, summer schools and meetings of experts
in various parts of the world. General Assemblies and
other meetings are also held to decide policies and
programmes. Committees/Commissions of ICSU are
created to organize studies in multi-disciplinary and
trans-disciplinary fields which are not completely
covered under the aegis of any one of the Scientific
Unions, such as space and environment. The main
Secretariat of ICSU is located in Paris.
India through INSA adheres to ICSU and 18 of
its member unions and 10 interdisciplinary bodies
listed below:
● International Astronomical Union (IAU),
● International Union of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology (IUBMB),
● International Union of Biological Sciences
(IUBS),
● International Union of Pure & Applied
Chemistry (IUPAC),
● International Union of Crystallography (IUCr),
● International Union of Geodesy & Geophysics
(IUGG),
● International Geographical Union (IGU),
● International Union of Geological Sciences
(IUGS),
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experts and of General Assemblies in India;
preparation of Country Status Reports in research
activity in specific or related fields; and selection of
Indian scientists for participation in international
conferences/congresses/symposia and General
Assemblies etc. especially sponsored by ICSU and
its affiliated organizations.
Non-ICSU Conferences: There are a large number
of other international scientific conferences,
symposia, workshops, etc. in the fields of medicine,
engineering and applied sciences which are
organized each year outside the purview of ICSU.
These conferences are termed Non-ICSU
conferences. The Academy, provides partial
financial assistance to scientists for attending some
of the important conferences under this category.
The Committee on Science & Technology in
Developing Countries (COSTED): COSTED was
set up as a special Scientific Comittee of ICSU at the
General Assembly held in Mumbai in 1966. In 1993,
it was merged with International Biosciences
Network (IBN) which was a joint ICSU-UNESCO
Programme. The COSTED stimulates and facilitates
the participation of scientists and scientific
institutions of the developing countries in the
activities of International Science & Technology. It
helps generate international projects and
programmes to help capacity development of
developing countries which addresses to problems
relevant to their socio-economic and cultural
development. INSA has partnership. The Academy
has close linkages with COSTED and also has a
programme (jointly)with CSIR, DAE, ISRO and
COSTED. In providing financial assistance and
support to young Indian research workers for
participation in International Conferences abroad.
Inter-Academy Collaboration and Exchange
Programme: In May 1967, an Indian delegation
visited the then Soviet Union to acquaint itself with
research and other activities of the USSR Academy
and its institutes and to discuss scientific cooperation
between the two nations. Both the Governments
agreed to set up a joint committee which met in New
Delhi in 1968. INSA's President was nominated the
Chairman of the Indian Committee for Indo-Soviet
Collaboration. Ever since 1968, the Academy has
been successfully collaborating with scientific
academies/organizations abroad by sharing
research experience and scientific information. Such
a relationship has been achieved through bilateral
exchange of scientists, collaborative research
projects, organization of symposia and meetings.
The Academy coordinates the exchange
programmes by facilitating contacts of
individuals/scientific institutions in India with
those of various foreign collaborating countries.
Currently, the Academy has signed 19 Bilateral
Agreements/Memoranda of Understanding with
the organizations listed below:
● Royal Society, London (1972);
● Japan Society for the Promotion of Science,
Tokyo (1976);
● Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest
(1980);
● French Academy of Sciences, Paris (1983);
● Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw (1983);
● National Academy of Science and Technology of
the Philippines, Manila (1983);
● Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts & Sciences,
Amsterdam;
● Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Germany
(1987);
● Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (1988);
● Royal Nepal Academy of Science & Technology,
Kathmandu (1989);
● Korea Science and Engineering Foundation,
Seoul (1989);
● Academy of Science of the Czech Republic,
Prague (1993);
● Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava (1993);
● Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev (1993);
● Academia Brazileira de Ciencias, Brazil (1996);
● National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrghyz
PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
393
Republic (1996);
● Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow (1996);
● Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts,
Slovenia (1998); and
● Slovenian Science Foundation, Slovenia (1998).
With the last three named academies,
collaborative programmes on identified areas have
also been taken up. The Academy has also signed
Agreements/Memoranda of Understanding (MoU)
with 13 other Academies/organizations for
exchange of scientific information, participation of
scientists in conferences/ symposia, etc. These are:
● Australian Academy of Sciences, Canberra;
● National Centre for the Scientific Research,
Vietnam;
● Academia Nacional De Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas
Y Naturales, Argentina;
● Royal Society of Canada;
● Israel Academy of Sciences & Humanities;
● Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences;
● Academia De Ciencias De Cuba;
● US National Academy of Sciences, Washington;
● State Academy of the DPR Korea, Pyongyang;
● Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk;
● Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Tashkent;
The then President of INSA at the ceremony of signing
on the agreement on scientific cooperation with the
Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy of
Science and Technology (RONAST) in 1989.
Korean Academy of Science and Technology,
Seoul;
● Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and
Humanities, Berlin.
Under international collaboration and exchange
programme, visits of scientists have been exchanged
under two categories -- short term visits of 2 to 8
weeks and long term/Fellowship visits up to 6
months. Generally, the senior scientists undertake
visits abroad for short duration for discussion and
interaction with scientists in different institutions and
the younger scientists normally engage themselves
in longer duration for collaborative research/training,
preferably in one institute/laboratory.
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Interaction with International Foundation for
Science: The International Foundation for Science
(IFS) was started in 1972 in Sweden as a nonGovernmental body consisting of around 95
scientific academies, research councils and
organizations as its members. The Academy is the
member organization in India for the IFS. Under
this programme, IFS provides research grants to
young scientists from developing countries to
enhance their capabilities to carry out research in
agriculture, biological sciences and chemistry of
natural resources. Over the years, some of the
leading INSA Fellows have served on the IFS Board
of Trustees. A large number of young Indian
scientists have benefitted from this programme.
Federation of Asian Scientific
Academies and Societies (FASAS): The
FASAS was born in 1984 in New Delhi.
The Academy is a Founder Member
Organization of the FASAS in India and
has been sponsoring its activities for the
promotion of Science and Technology in
the Asian region. The Federation
includes 14 scientific Academies/
Societies of the Asian region, namely
Afghanistan, Australia, Pakistan, Nepal,
New Zealand, Bangladesh, China, India,
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PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Korea, Philippines, Singapore
and Thailand, as its national members. The
Federation fosters co-operation and promotes
national and regional self-reliance by sharing
experiences in the field of science and technology and
in promoting beneficial use of science for society.
Linkages with TWAS and TWNSO: The Third
World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is a nonGovernmental body founded in 1983 by a group of
eminent scientists from the South under the
leadership of Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam of
Pakistan to promote South-South and South-North
Cooperation in the development and application of
S&T in the third world. The Academy has close
linkages with the TWAS and Third World Network
of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO) ever since their
inception. In fact, the largest number of Fellows of
TWAS are from India and they are actively involved
in various programmes, committees and other
activities for the realization of the objectives of TWAS
and TWNSO. C.N.R. Rao, an eminent Indian chemist
and a Past-President of INSA is the present President
of TWAS. The Academy is also represented in the
TWNSO Council. TWNSO aims to promote
integration of S&T aspects of the national
development plans of the third world countries and
to establish collaborative studies programmes in
areas of critical importance.
The Academy has been extending facilities to
younger scientists from Asian countries for attending
training programmes in Indian institutions for 6
months or more in relevant fields under FASAS and
TWAS Programmes. International travel is provided
by TWAS or the member organization in the
sponsoring country and living expenses are borne
by the Academy through the Technical Cooperation
among Developing Countries (TCDC) supported by
the DST, New Delhi.
The INSA-Royal Society Lecture Series: The
Indian National Science Academy and the Royal
Society jointly hold one memorial lecture every
year, alternately in India and the United Kingdom.
The British scientists are invited to deliver the
Blackett Memorial Lecture in India, whereas the
Indian scientists dive the Sir J.C.Bose Memorial
Lecture in UK.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Visiting
Fellowship: In 1989, the Academy instituted the
Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary visiting
Fellowship to commemorate NehruÕs commitment
and sustained support to science. This fellowship
enables the Academy to project the achievements
of Indian science & technology abroad. One
fellowship is awarded annually to a distinguished
Indian Scientist for delivering a series of lectures
abroad and it is not restricted to countries with
which the Academy has exchange programme.
INSA-JRD Tata Fellowship: The Academy, jointly
with the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, has instituted the
INSA-JRD Tata Fellowship to encourage scientists
and technologists from other developing countries
to pursue research in Indian scientific research
institutions. About 20 Fellowships are likely to be
provided annually. The Fellowship will cover toand-fro airfare, boarding and lodging at the
affiliated institution/s and an allowance to cover
incidental expenses.
INSA-KK Birla Foundation Asia Science Lectures:
INSA in association with the KK Birla Foundation
has jointly instituted an ÔINSA-KK Birla Foundation
Asia Science LectureÕ to promote understanding,
interaction and a co-opertive spirit in the Asian
region by recognizing eminent scientists/persons
who have established themselves as leaders in
science and technology or an entrepreneur/scholar
who has contributed significantly to areas like S&T,
education, health, economy, leading to the
development of the Asian Region.
Inter-Academy Panel on International Issues:
Presidents of 10 academies of science (including
PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
395
Photo: P.N. Tandon
INSA), on the invitation of the Royal Society,
London and U.S. National Academy of Sciences,
met in 1992 to discuss the possibility of organizing
a meeting of science academies to develop a
consensus statement on Population and
Development. The President of INSA extended the
invitation to hold such a meeting in New Delhi. This
resulted in Population Summit held in New Delhi in
October, 1993. This was the first meeting of over 50
science academies from all parts of the world to
discuss an issue of global concern. A consensus
statement on the subject was finalized at the
ÔSummitÕ and was later presented to the UN
Conference on Population and Development held at
Cairo in 1994, by the Past President of INSA on
behalf of the World Academies.
The Inter-Academy Panel (IAP) on
International Issues was constituted at INSA in 1995,
as a follow-up of the ÔPopulation SummitÕ. Sixty
participating Science Academies unanimously
recommended the creation of a joint forum for
mutual consultation and, where necessary, joint
action on S&T issues of global concern. The Panel
also participated in the UN Conference on Human
Settlements (Habitat II) held in Istanbul, Turkey and
also issued a statement on S&T and Future of Mega
Cities endorsed by 72 academies of the world. More
recently, an International Conference was organized
in May, 2000 on A Transition to Sustainability in the
21st Century at Tokyo, Japan. P.N. Tandon, PastPresident of INSA and F. Sherwood Rowland,
Foreign Secretary, USNAS are the co-chair of the
Steering Committee of IAP.
Population Summit
Conference (May, 2000) as a formal arm of IAP, as a
legal entity to provide scientific advice to
international organizations on request. The Council
consists of 15 Presidents of IAP member
academies/organizations. G.Mehta, President INSA,
and Bruce Alberts, President USNAS, are co-chairs
of IAC. The members of IAC are from Brazil, China,
France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Malaysia,
Mexico, South Africa, Sweden, U.K., USA and TWAS.
The President of ICSU and President of the Royal
Netherland Academy (the host academy) will be exofficio members. The IAC Secretariat is based in the
Netherlands. Impressed by the success of this
venture, it was unanimously decided to establish an
informal body to continue such interactions,
especially for those issues of global concern where
science and technology could play an important role.
BASIC SCIENCE
Inter-Academy Council (IAC): Over the years it has
been felt that there is an urgent need for the global
scientific community to develop an effective
mechanism for delivering timely advice that can
utilize the best scientific expertise, while maintaining
a character so clearly global that it cannot be
dismissed as reflecting the interest of any one nation
or a particular block of nations. The Inter-Academy
Council (IAC) was therefore created after the Tokyo
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PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
Scientific Research & Training: Basic research, a
prerequisite for applied research leading to
developmental activity, conducted by academic
institutions was supported by the Academy in the
past. The Academy offered adequate support to
research programmes of individual scientists and
to interdisciplinary, multi-institutional programmes.
In fact, as early as 1946, it instituted the Junior and
Senior Research Fellowships which continued up
to 1970. Apart from its own resources, grants-in-aid
from CSIR and ICI were placed at the disposal of
INSA for funding these Fellowships.This was the
first attempt in India to encourage research
endeavour in youth. This was followed later by
other bodies. With the emergence of major funding
agencies in the country, the Academy modified its
programme to support individual scientists and
diverted its funds to create five positions of INSA
Research Professors, support to retired scientists
(Fellows of the Academy only), research projects of
INSA Young Scientist Medal Awardees and INSA
Visiting Fellowship.
The Academy also provides partial financial
assistance for holding/organizing international/
national conferences, symposia and seminars in India.
INSA Research Professorship: The Academy
instituted five research professorships from 1984
onwards, each to be awarded to an outstanding
scientist and enable him/her to continue to
contribute to the subject of specialization. These
prestigious professorships are named after Albert
Einstein, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, Srinivasa
Ramanujan and Satyendra Nath Bose. Besides, one
is entitled Golden Jubilee Research Professorship.
Each professorship is tenable for five years. Apart
from regular emoluments and contingency grant,
there is also provision for an appointment of a
Research Associate to assist the research professor.
INSA Honorary Scientists Scheme: After trying
out a programme of INSA senior scientists (granted
to retired Fellows) the Academy has launched the
INSA Honorary Scientist Scheme in the year 2000
to utilize the services of Fellows who have formally
retired from service but are actively carrying out
research in their specialized disciplines and/or are
willing to write monographs on topics of
importance. The term of an INSA Honorary
Scientist is tenable initially for a period of three
years and can be extended depending on the plan
of work and output. The award carries no
honorarium but provides a contingency grant.
INSA Visiting Fellowship: To enable a scientist to
conduct advanced collaborative research or receive
specialized training in Indian research
institutes/laboratories, or to utilize facilities not
available in their own institutions, the Academy has
instituted this scheme since 1991. The Fellowship
enables a scientist to carry out independent or
collaborative work for one to six months in a
research institution located in an Indian city other
than his/her own.
Support to National/International Conferences:
The Academy provides partial financial assistance
for holding national/international conferences/
symposia/ summer/winter schools in India. It also
offers token funds for arranging General Assemblies
and other ICSU-sponsored international conferences
in India or other events recommended by national
committees of the various scientific unions of ICSU.
HISTORY OF SCIENCE IN INDIA
R
ecognizing the value of carrying out research on
the evolution of science in the growth of Indian
civilization and documenting it authentically for posterity, the project of compiling a History of Science in
India was started at the Asiatic Society, Kolkata in
1960, under the supervision of the History of Science
Board with A.C. Ukil, Past President of the Academy,
as Chairman. This programme was sponsored by the
then National Institute of Sciences of India (presently
INSA). Later on, in order to enlarge the scope of the
History of Science Board, an Academy delegation
headed by H.J. Bhabha, met the then Education
Minister M.C. Chagla which resulted in the founding
of the National Commission for the compilation of
the History of Science in India in the year 1965. The
National Institute started getting an annual grant
from Government of India to be disbursed by the
National Commission for the work. The name of the
National Commission was changes to Indian
National Commission for History of Science in 1989.
The CommissionÕs activities cover three
PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
397
somewhat overlapping periods: Ancient Period till
1200 A.D., Medieval period from 1200 A.D.-1800
A.D. and Modern period from 1801 A.D. onwards.
The functions of the Commission are:
● Collection and documentation of source
material.
● Critical evaluation and translation of relevant
ancient manuscripts of science.
● Organization of seminars and workshops, and
● Publication of the Indian Journal of History of
Science, the only journal of its kind in India,
started 30 years ago.
Importantly the Academy supports research
projects in various areas of history of science and
technology by experts, after a critical peer review.
The Commission has brought out over 30 major
publications including monographs. Besides the
volume, A Concise History of Science in India, the list
includes History of Astronomy in India, History of Medicine
in India, History of Technology in India (three volumes)
and History of Metallurgy in India. Among the earlier
publications which have received much appreciation
in the scientific world, mention may be made of Caraka
Sam
. hita (a scientific synopsis, 1960); SusÕruta Sam
. hita
(as scientific synopsis, 1980); The Sulbha Sutras of
Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava
with text, English translation and commentary (1983);
Aryabhatia of Aryabhat.a, text with English translation
(1976); Rasa Ratna Samuccaya by Vagbhata edited with
English translation, notes and appendixes in two parts
(1991-92) and Jahangir, the Naturalist (1969).
INFORMATION AND REFERENCE
T
he INSA Library and the Computer Centre are
the two main wings of the Informatics Centre.
The library primarily serves the needs of the Fellows,
other scientists/scholars and enrolled members. It
renders reference service whenever required and
extends facilities for consultation. Presently, it
receives more than 800 scientific and technical journals and has a collection of 17,987 books related to
Science and Technology, History and Philosophy of
Science, Science Education, Management and
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PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE
Science Policy. The Library is also procuring books in
Hindi pertaining to S&T area. The library is planning to compile a complete set of publications of
each Fellow of the Academy. Besides the regular
activities of the library, the Informatics Centre renders the following services to its users:
● Citation Analysis: Informatics Centre provides
citation analysis against request to the Fellowship
based on CD-ROM database of Science Citation
Index from 1980 till date. This service is becoming
popular among the scientific community.
● Science Information Notes: A collection of articles,
SIN, is brought out on issues of topical interest,
covering the latest developments in S&T,
Environment, Development Policy, and many
other related areas. A special Hindi issue of SIN
is published in January every year.
● Current Awareness Service: Since 1986, Fellows are
being supplied with contents pages of selected
journals of their choice from the journals
received in the library. Subsequently full articles
are supplied on request. This service has also
been extended to INSA Young Scientists and
Institutional Members.
● Additional Contents Page Service: Recently an
Additional Contents Page Service has been
started for the INSA Fellows. Under this service,
content pages of 240 journals in various
disciplines of S&T, not available in INSA library,
are sent to Fellows according to their choice.
Copies of these articles can be obtained either
from Indian National Scientific Documentation
Centre or any other source by the Fellowship
directly.
● Bibliographic Services: Using electronic resources,
bibliographies on specific topics are being
compiled and supplied.
● IT-based Information Services: Internet based data
services and E-mail requirements are available
on a limited scale.
● Electronic Resources: Acquisition of resources on
CDÕs has been initiated and a few sources have
been aquired on CDÕs. Efforts are being made to
procure more secondary sources in electronic
format. Further, the records of INSA Fellows are
also being digitised and made available on CDÕs.
PUBLICATIONS
A
n important activity of the Academy is to publish
Proceedings, Journals, Memoirs, Year Book, etc.
The first issue of the Transactions of the National
Institute of Sciences of India came out in 1935. Three
volumes, consisting 26 numbers were published. After
the first issue of the fourth volume, the Transactions
were discontinued and a new series of monographs
was started, to enable scientists to publish their
research work. In 1936, the NISI brought out Indian
Science Abstracts, containing an annotated bibliography of all scientific papers published in India. Four
volumes - each in two parts - appeared in 1937 and in
1938, and one in 1939. Thereafter this publication was
discontinued. The first monograph came out in 1960.
The first issue of the Proceedings containing the
history of the foundation of National Institute of
Sciences of India, its aims and objectives, provisional
rules, proceedings of the inaugural meeting and
inaugural addresses was published in 1935.
Proceedings was a bimonthly until 1954, the
incorporated articles in both Physical and Biological
Sciences. From 1955 onwards, the Proceedings are
being published in two series - Part A for Physical
Sciences, and Part B for Biological Sciences - in
alternate months. From 1998 onwards the
Proceedings has been appearing under two series
PINSA Ð A and PINSA Ð B. The emphasis has shifted
from being vehicles of original research reports but
only contain reviews, tracts of contemporary
scientific interest as well as to publish primary
comprehensive summary reports on specific topics.
Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Mathematics started
January 1970 as a quarterly journal, is now being
published every month.
One of the unique publications of the Academy
is the Indian Journal of History of Science. This is a
quarterly journal devoted to studies in various fields
of ancient, medieval and modern science in
The President of India, Dr. K.R. Narayanan, visiting
the Academy premises.
historical perspective, and offer an interesting forum
for scientists, historians, social scientists,
philosophers educationists, to gain an insight into
the evolution of scientific concepts and
technological developments.
From time to time the Academy publishes
Status Reports on various scientific disciplines,
Proceedings of important multidisciplinary
seminars, and special monographs. INSA has also
published Biographical Notes on Fellows of the
Academy 1935-93 (two volumes), Profiles in Scientific
Research: Contributions of the Fellows (five volumes),
Compilation of the Award Lectures (four volumes) and
Presidential Addresses.
The Biographical Memoirs brought out each
year serve as authentic records for posterity, of the
lives and works of deceased Fellows. Twenty two
volumes of the Memoirs have been published so far.
The INSA Year Book is a useful document. From
1960, it has been brought out every year in January,
at the time of the Anniversary General Meeting of
the Academy. The Year Book lists the activities of
various units of the Academy, details of the
Fellowship - both Indian and foreign, composition
of the various committees, Rules and Regulations,
the calendar of events and other activities of the
Academy. INSA News, the in-house journal of the
Academy is published bimonthly. It highlights the
activities of the Academy and its local chapters and
achievements of its Fellowship.
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PURSUIT AND PROMOTION OF SCIENCE