India Set to Surpass the U.S. in Scientific Publications by 2029

Sub: Sci

Sec: IPR

Why in News

Union Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, announced that India is projected to surpass the United States in the number of scientific publications by 2029. The statement was made during a public function, to commemorate National Science Day.

Details:

According to a 2023 ranking by the U.S.-based National Science Foundation, the global leaders in scientific publications are:
- China: 898,949 publications (1st position)
- United States: 457,335 publications (2nd position)
- India: 207,390 publications (3rd position)
If the current trend continues, India is expected to overtake the U.S. by 2029 in terms of scientific publications.
A December 31, 2024, compilation of the world’s top 2% scientists included 5,351 Indian scientists.
India ranks 10th in the world in this list, with the top three countries being:
- United States: 71,392 scientists (1st position)
- China: 27,165 scientists (2nd position)
- India: 5,351 scientists (10th position)

National Science Day:

Date: February 28th annually.
Commemorates the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman on February 28, 1928.
In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) proposed the observance to the Government of India, which was accepted.
The first National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987.
Themes 2025: “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for Viksit Bharat.”

Sir C.V. Raman:

Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
Birth: November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Southern India.
Discovered the Raman Effect in 1928, explaining the change in wavelength of light when it passes through a transparent medium.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for the discovery of the Raman Effect, making him the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in any branch of science.