List of science centers in India explained

This is a comprehensive list of science centers and museums in India, most of which are operated by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM). As part of India's science education infrastructure, these centers play a crucial role in promoting scientific literacy and informal learning.^{[1] [2]}

The network represents one of the largest chains of science centers under a single administrative umbrella globally, contributing significantly to public understanding of science and STEM education in India.^{[3] [4]}

Historical background

The foundation for India's science museum network was laid with the establishment of the Birla Industrial & Technological Museum in Kolkata in 1959.^[5] This was followed by the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore in 1965.^[6] The success of these early institutions led to the creation of NCSM in 1978, marking the beginning of a coordinated effort to establish science centers across the country.^[7]

Classification and hierarchy

Science centers in India are classified into different categories based on their scope, infrastructure, and administrative level. Each category serves specific functions and target audiences, with higher-level centers often providing support and resources to smaller units.^[8]

• Science Cities: Large-scale science centers featuring extensive interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and outdoor science parks. These facilities often span several acres and include multiple galleries, theaters, and research spaces. Examples include Science City, Kolkata, which attracts over 1 million visitors annually.
• National Centers: Major institutions serving as regional hubs for scientific education and research. These centers typically house permanent galleries, temporary exhibition spaces, and advanced laboratory facilities. They often coordinate with international institutions and lead research initiatives.
• Regional Centers: Facilities serving specific geographical regions with comprehensive exhibits and educational programs. These centers focus on regional scientific achievements and local technological heritage while maintaining national-standard facilities.
• Sub-Regional Centers: Medium-sized facilities designed to bridge the gap between regional and district levels. They typically serve multiple districts and offer specialized programs tailored to local educational needs.
• District Centers: Local-level institutions focusing on district-wide outreach and basic science education. These centers work closely with local schools and communities to promote scientific literacy through hands-on learning experiences.
• Satellite Units: Smaller centers operating under the administrative control of national centers. They extend the reach of larger institutions to smaller cities and towns, offering selected exhibits and educational programs.
• Mobile Science Exhibitions: Traveling exhibits designed to bring science education to remote and underserved areas. These units typically consist of specially designed buses or vans equipped with exhibits, demonstrations, and audiovisual facilities. In 2022-23, mobile units reached over 2,000 locations across India.

Science centers in states

Science Center	State	Location	Type	Inauguration Date
Regional Science Centre	Andhra Pradesh	Tirupati	Regional Centre	1993
Arunachal Pradesh Science Centre	Arunachal Pradesh	Itanagar	Science Centre	December 3, 2005
Regional Science Centre	Assam	Guwahati	Regional Centre	March 15, 1994
Jorhat Science Centre & Planetarium	Assam	Jorhat	Science Centre with Planetarium	July 6, 2013
Srikrishna Science Centre	Bihar	Patna	Science Centre	April 14, 1978
Bodhgaya Science Centre	Bihar	Bodhgaya	Science Centre	July 20, 2023
Chhattisgarh Science Centre	Chhattisgarh	Raipur	Science Centre	July 13, 2012
Nehru Science Centre	Maharashtra	Mumbai	National Centre	November 11, 1985
	Karnataka	Bangalore	National Centre	1965
Goa Science Centre	Goa	Panjim	Science Centre	2002
District Science Centre	Gujarat	Dharampur	District Centre	1984
Kurukshetra Panorama & Science Centre	Haryana	Kurukshetra	Science Centre	2000
Regional Science Centre	Jharkhand	Ranchi	Regional Centre	November 29, 2010
District Science Centre	Karnataka	Gulbarga	District Centre	1984
Dharwad Regional Science Centre	Karnataka	Dharwad	Regional Centre	February 27, 2012
	Karnataka	Pilikula	Regional Centre	October 1, 2014
Regional Science Centre	Kerala	Chalakudy	Regional Centre	February 2021
Regional Science Centre and Planetarium	Kerala	Kozhikode	Regional Centre with Planetarium	1997
	Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal	Regional Centre	January 12, 1995
Manaskhand Science Centre	Madhya Pradesh	Umaria	Science Centre	March 10, 2024
Raman Science Centre & Planetarium	Maharashtra	Nagpur	Science Centre with Planetarium	1992
Pimpri Chinchwad Science Centre	Maharashtra	Pune	Science Centre	February 8, 2013
Sub-Regional Science Centre	Maharashtra	Solapur	Sub-Regional Centre	February 14, 2010
Manipur Science Centre	Manipur	Imphal	Science Centre	May 18, 2005
Shillong Science Centre	Meghalaya	Shillong	Science Centre	February 27, 2006
Mizoram Science Centre	Mizoram	Aizawl	Science Centre	July 26, 2003
Nagaland Science Centre	Nagaland	Dimapur	Science Centre	September 14, 2004
Regional Science Centre	Odisha	Bhubaneswar	Regional Centre	September 18, 1989
Dhenkanal Science Centre	Odisha	Dhenkanal	Science Centre	June 5, 1995
Kapilas Science Park	Odisha	Dhenkanal	Science Park	June 5, 1995
Bargarh Science Centre	Odisha	Bargarh	Science Centre	January 21, 2020
Regional Science Centre	Rajasthan	Jaipur	Regional Centre	December 29, 2012
Sub-Regional Science Centre	Rajasthan	Jodhpur	Sub-Regional Centre	August 17, 2013
Sikkim Science Centre	Sikkim	Gangtok	Science Centre	February 22, 2008
District Science Centre	Tamil Nadu	Tirunelveli	District Centre	1987
Regional Science Centre	Tamil Nadu	Coimbatore	Regional Centre	May 6, 2013
Regional Science City	Uttar Pradesh	Lucknow	Science City	1989
Regional Science Centre	Uttarakhand	Dehradun	Regional Centre	February 3, 2016
	West Bengal	Kolkata	Science City	July 1, 1997
	West Bengal	Kolkata	National Centre	May 2, 1959
Central Research and Training Laboratory	West Bengal	Kolkata	Research Laboratory	January 1, 1988
North Bengal Science Centre	West Bengal	Siliguri	Science Centre	August 17, 1997
Sub-Regional Science Centre	West Bengal	Kalimpong	Sub-Regional Centre	October 2, 2008
Bardhaman Science Centre	West Bengal	Babur Bagh	Science Centre	January 9, 1994
Digha Science Centre & National Science Camp	West Bengal	New Digha	Science Centre	August 31, 1997
District Science Centre	West Bengal	Purulia	District Centre	December 15, 1982

Science centers in union territories

Science Center	Union Territory	Location	Type	Inauguration Date
Science Centre	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Port Blair	Science Centre	May 30, 2003
	Delhi	Delhi	National Centre	January 9, 1992
Sub-Regional Science Centre	Puducherry	Puducherry	Sub-Regional Centre	May 3, 2015

Special facilities and programs

Specialized facilities

The science centers across India feature various specialized facilities designed to enhance visitor experience and educational impact:^[9]

PlanetariumsSeveral centers house modern planetarium facilities with digital projection systems:

• Raman Science Centre & Planetarium, Nagpur - Features a 12.5-meter dome
• Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Kozhikode - Offers bilingual shows
• Jorhat Science Centre & Planetarium, Assam - Specializes in astronomy education
• Swami Vivekananda Planetarium, Mangalore - Digital full-dome projection system

Innovation HubsDedicated spaces for fostering creativity and innovation among students:

• Creative Design Labs
• Robotics Workshops
• 3D Printing Facilities
• Electronics Labs

Specialized GalleriesThemed exhibition spaces focusing on specific scientific domains:

• Fun Science Galleries
• Evolution Parks
• Dinosaur Galleries
• Maritime Galleries
• Space Exploration Centers

Research Facilities

• Advanced laboratories for student experiments
• Weather monitoring stations
• Astronomical observatories
• Mathematical modeling centers

Educational programs

The centers offer various educational programs and initiatives:^[10]

• Regular Programs
  • Science demonstration lectures
  • Sky observation programs
  • Teachers' training workshops
  • Science quiz competitions
  • Mobile science exhibitions
• Special Events
  • National Science Day celebrations (February 28)
  • World Environment Day programs
  • National Mathematics Day activities
  • Space Week celebrations

International collaborations

NCSM has established several international collaborations:^[11]

• Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Mauritius - Technical support and exhibition development
• India Gallery, International Buddhist Museum, Sri Lanka - Cultural and scientific exchange
• Collaborative projects with science museums worldwide

Future developments

As part of ongoing expansion efforts, several new centers are planned or under construction:^[12]

Upcoming projects

New Science Cities

• Regional Science City, Guwahati (Under Construction)
• Science City, Jammu (Proposed)
• Science City, Dehradun (Planning Phase)

Sub-Regional Science Centers

• Upcoming centers in:
  • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
  • Nashik, Maharashtra
  • Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Imphal, Manipur
  • Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli

District Science Centers

• Focus on underserved areas in:
  • North-Eastern states
  • Tribal districts
  • Rural regions
  • Himalayan states

Infrastructure upgrades

Several existing centers are scheduled for modernization:

• Digital planetarium installations
• Interactive gallery renovations
• Virtual reality facilities
• Augmented reality exhibits

Outreach expansion

• New mobile science exhibition units
• Digital learning platforms
• Virtual laboratory programs
• Science demonstration kits for schools

Impact and outreach

The science center network has significant impact on science education in India:^[13]

• Annual visitors: Over 14 million (2019)
• School programs: 5000+ annually
• Mobile science exhibitions: Reaching 2000+ remote locations
• Training programs: 500+ teachers annually

Summary statistics

As of 2024, India has:

• 2 Science Cities
• 6 National Centers
• 15 Regional Centers
• 5 Sub-Regional Centers
• 5 District Centers
• 20+ Science Centers
• 1 Research Laboratory
• 1 Science Park

Centers by Special Facilities:

• 4 Centers with Planetariums
• 1 Research & Training Laboratory
• 1 Panorama Center

See also

• Science education in India
• National Council of Science Museums
• List of museums in India
• Science and technology in India
• Education in India
• Ministry of Culture (India)

External links

• National Council of Science Museums
• Ministry of Culture, Government of India
• Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
• Indian National Science Academy

Notes and References

1. Activity Report 2018–19. p–63. National Council of Science Museums publication.
2. "Science Museums and Centres". Ministry of Culture Annual Report 2022-23. Government of India.
3. Web site: Science Museums fostering a culture of science and innovation . Press Information Bureau . Government of India . 2022-03-15 . 2024-03-22.
4. Chakraborty . S. . Science Museums and Scientific Temper in India . Journal of Scientific Temper . 1 . 3-4 . 2013 . 167-182.
5. Web site: History of BITM . Birla Industrial and Technological Museum . 2024-03-22.
6. Web site: About VITM . Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum . 2024-03-22.
7. News: 45 years of promoting science through museums . The Hindu . 2023-04-01 . 2024-03-22.
8. "Network of Own Units". National Council of Science Museums. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
9. "Special Facilities". National Council of Science Museums. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
10. "Educational Activities". National Council of Science Museums. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
11. "International Collaborations". National Council of Science Museums. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
12. "Future Plans". National Council of Science Museums. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
13. "Annual Report 2022-23". National Council of Science Museums. Retrieved 2024-03-22.