IACS Kolkata marks 150 years; Centre and West Bengal agree to roll out science schemes
On 26 May 2026 Dr Jitendra Singh joined the 150-year celebrations of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, where C.V. Raman did the work behind the Raman Effect, and met West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari on central science schemes.
Summary
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh visited the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, founded in 1876 by Dr Mahendralal Sircar, to join celebrations marking its 150 years. IACS is where Sir C.V. Raman carried out the work leading to India's first Nobel Prize in Science through the discovery of the Raman Effect. He inaugurated an indigenous solar-cell fabrication facility and the RETINA incubation centre on the campus. The same day he met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata, where it was decided that all major Central science, research, innovation and startup schemes, including INSPIRE, Vigyan Jyoti, WISE and KIRAN, would be implemented in West Bengal with immediate effect, along with a CSIR study on arsenic poisoning in affected districts.
Key facts
- Institution
- Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata
- Founded
- 1876 by Dr Mahendralal Sircar
- Legacy
- C.V. Raman's work leading to the Raman Effect and India's first science Nobel
- Inaugurated
- Indigenous solar-cell fabrication facility; RETINA incubation centre
- WB meeting
- Jitendra Singh with CM Suvendu Adhikari, Kolkata
- Schemes to scale up
- INSPIRE, Vigyan Jyoti, WISE, KIRAN
- Study
- CSIR study on arsenic poisoning in West Bengal
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, which marked 150 years in 2026, was founded in 1876 by:
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Correct answer: B — Mahendralal Sircar
IACS was founded in 1876 by Dr Mahendralal Sircar.
IACS Kolkata is described as the institution where which scientist carried out the work leading to India's first Nobel Prize in Science?
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Correct answer: D — C.V. Raman
Sir C.V. Raman carried out the work at IACS that led to the discovery of the Raman Effect and India's first Nobel Prize in Science.
At the May 2026 meeting between Union Minister Jitendra Singh and the West Bengal Chief Minister, a dedicated CSIR study was agreed on which problem in affected districts of the State?
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Correct answer: C — Arsenic poisoning
One of the two key decisions was a dedicated study on arsenic poisoning in affected districts of West Bengal through CSIR institutions.