About Indian National Science Academy
The Indian National Science Academy was established in January 1935 with the object of
promoting science in India and harnessing scientific knowledge for the cause of humanity
and national welfare. The foundation of the Academy, earlier known as the National Institute
of Sciences of India (NISI), was the outcome of joint endeavours of several organizations
and individuals and the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) playing a leading role
in this regard.
Towards the end of 1930, the then Government of India wrote to various State (then
provincial) Governments, Scientific Departments, Learned Societies, Universities and 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 period witnessed the visit of Sir Richard Gregor, the Editor of
Nature for discussions with the Editor of Current Science for the promotion of an Indian
Academy of Sciences. The 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 resolution to the ISCA during its Pune Session. A special meeting of ISCA
was held in Mumbai in January1934 to consider the scheme. In response to the plea made
by the President of the ISCA, Professor MN Saha in support of an Indian Academy of
Sciences on the model of the Royal Society, London, the General Committee of the ISCA
unanimously accepted the proposal for the formation of a national scientific society. The
Committee formed an ‘Academy Committee’, which was requested to submit a detailed
report for consideration at the next session of the ISCA. The committee submitted the
report in January 1935 incorporating (i) the aims and objects of the national scientific
society to be formed; (ii) draft constitution; (iii) names of 125 Foundation Fellows selected
by a Special Committee of Specialists; and (iv) names of 25 scientists as members of the
provisional Council of Academy. The report of the Academy Committee was placed by
Dr LL Fermor (President, 22nd Session, ISCA) before a Special Meeting of the Joint
Committee on January 3, 1935. The recommendations of the Academy Committee were
accepted by unanimous resolution by the ISCA and the foundation of the National Institute
of Sciences of India as an all India body of scientists was thus laid. An inaugural meeting
of the National Institute of Sciences of India (NISI) was held on January 7, 1935 under the
Chairmanship of Dr JH Hutton (President, 23rd Session, ISCA) in Calcutta, and the Inaugural
Address was delivered by the first President of NISI, Dr LL Fermor. The Institute, thus,
started functioning with its Headquarters at the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1 Park Street,
Calcutta, from that day.
The issue of the Government recognizing the NISI as the representative body of the scientists
was taken up after ten years of its foundation. After due deliberations and discussions, it
decided to recognise the National Institute as the premier scientific society representing all
branches of science in India in October 1945. The Headquarters moved over to Delhi in
May 1946, and the Government commenced providing increased grants 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 Headquarters building
was also sanctioned in 1948 by the Government. The foundation stone of the building was
laid by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, on April 19, 1948. The Office
of the NISI moved to its present premises on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi in
1951. It was designated as the adhering organization in India 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 of India was changed to the Indian National
Science Academy (INSA) in February 1970.
OBJECTIVES
|
Promotion of scientific knowledge in India including its practical application to problems of national welfare. |
|
Coordination among Scientific Academies, Societies, Institutions, 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 liaison between Science 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. |
Back
Verified...
|