Science, Discovery, Tech and Environment · 31 July 2026

Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) Completes 150 Years

Exam-focused facts from the 31 July 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) was established on July 29, 1876, as the first national institution dedicated to scientific research by Indians.
  • The IACS was founded by Mahendralal Sircar who envisioned scientific self-reliance and the cultivation of physical sciences for India's progress.
  • C.V. Raman discovered the Raman effect at the IACS laboratories in 1928, becoming the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
  • Over 150 years, the IACS has nurtured generations of scientists and contributed significantly to the advancement of science in India and the world.