India Honours Trailblazing Women Scientists on National Science Day 2026
India will celebrate National Science Day on 28 February 2026 under the theme 'Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat'. The day honours the discovery of the Raman effect by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928. It also highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Indian women scientists who broke barriers in research and innovation.
For decades, Indian women in science faced twin challenges: the demands of rigorous research and societal constraints from colonial and patriarchal norms. Yet many overcame these hurdles to leave lasting impacts across fields.
Kamala Sohonie became the first Indian woman to earn a Ph.D. in a scientific discipline from Cambridge University in 1939. Her work revealed the nutritional value of Neera (palm nectar), rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, which helped combat malnutrition among tribal women and children.
Edavalath Kakkat Janaki Ammal was another pioneer, earning the first Ph.D. in botany by an Indian woman from the University of Michigan in 1931. Her research on sugarcane hybrids revolutionised India's sugar industry, making the country self-sufficient in production.
Rajeshwari Chatterjee, Karnataka's first woman engineer, established India's first microwave engineering laboratory at the Indian Institute of Science. Meanwhile, Asima Chatterjee became the first woman to receive a Doctor of Science from an Indian university in 1944. She later developed Ayush-56, an anti-epileptic drug from Indian plants, and contributed to cancer treatments.
In defence research, Tessy Thomas made history as the first woman to lead a missile project in India. She directed the Agni-IV and Agni-V ballistic missile programmes, earning the nickname 'Agniputri' (Daughter of Fire).
The 2026 theme for National Science Day spotlights the critical role of women in shaping India's scientific progress. From agriculture and medicine to defence and engineering, their discoveries have strengthened the nation's self-reliance. Recognising these achievements encourages greater inclusion in science for future generations.
