2026 - 150th Year of IACS | Commemorative Coin

A commemorative coin of ₹150 will be issued to mark the 150th Year of Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science. The Ministry of Finance has issued the gazette notification on March 13, 2026.

The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) holds a unique and historic place in the development of modern scientific research in India. Established in 1876 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), it was the first national institution in India dedicated to the pursuit of scientific research and education by Indians. At a time when scientific activity in the country was largely controlled by colonial institutions, the creation of IACS represented a significant intellectual movement aimed at promoting scientific learning, experimentation, and independent research among Indians.

The institution was founded through the vision and persistent efforts of the distinguished physician and educationist Mahendra Lal Sircar. He believed that scientific knowledge was essential for the intellectual and technological progress of the nation. Sircar strongly advocated that Indians should not merely learn science from textbooks but actively engage in experimental work and original research. His idea was to create a center where science could be cultivated by Indians themselves, free from the limitations imposed by colonial administrative structures. With the support of several enlightened citizens, scholars, and philanthropists of the time, the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science was established to fulfill this objective.

From its earliest years, the Association promoted public lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory research. It opened its doors not only to professional scientists but also to students and enthusiastic learners who wished to understand scientific principles through experimentation. This approach helped nurture a scientific temperament among the Indian public at a time when opportunities for scientific research were limited. The institution gradually developed laboratories for physics, chemistry, and other branches of science, becoming an important center for intellectual exchange and scientific inquiry.

The global recognition of the Association came in the early twentieth century through the groundbreaking work of the eminent physicist C. V. Raman. While working at the laboratories of IACS, Raman conducted a series of experiments on the scattering of light. His research led to the discovery of the phenomenon now known as the Raman Effect in 1928. This discovery demonstrated that when light passes through a transparent material, a small portion of the light is scattered at different wavelengths due to interactions with the molecules of the medium. The significance of this discovery was immense for the field of spectroscopy and molecular physics.

In recognition of this pioneering discovery, Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, becoming the first Asian scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in the sciences. The work that earned him this honor was conducted at the laboratories of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, placing the institution firmly on the global scientific map. Raman’s achievement symbolized the potential of Indian scientific research and inspired generations of scientists across the country.

Over the decades, the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science continued to evolve into a premier research institute. It expanded its research activities across multiple disciplines, including theoretical physics, chemical sciences, materials science, and biological sciences. The institution also became known for its advanced research facilities and its contributions to both fundamental and applied science. Many eminent scientists have been associated with the Association, further strengthening its reputation as a center of excellence.

Today, the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science remains an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India. Its campus in Kolkata houses state-of-the-art laboratories and continues to support cutting-edge scientific research. The institution also plays a significant role in training young scientists, fostering collaborations with national and international research organizations, and promoting innovation in various scientific domains.

The legacy of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science stands as a testament to the vision of its founder and the dedication of generations of scientists who believed in the transformative power of scientific inquiry. From its origins as a modest initiative aimed at promoting experimental science among Indians, the Association has grown into one of the country’s most respected research institutions, contributing significantly to the advancement of science both in India and across the world.