Indian scientists have played a major role in helping the world advance scientifically by making some of the revolutionary inventions in the fields of mathematics, physics, nuclear energy, space research as well as agriculture. And it is through Ramanujan theories in mathematics and the outlook Vikram Sarabhai had on space that India has taken a prominent position on the world scientific horizon. These pioneers transformed their industries in their lives even though they had few resources or recognition during their youth. They have stories of great dedication to knowledge and national development. His legacy motivates the new generation of Indian scientists even now.

Key Points for RAS Mains

First Indian Scientists and their Achievements

1. Srinivasa Ramanujan Aiyangar (1887 1920)

• Field: Pure Mathematics
• Key Contributions:
  • He had worked out more than 3,000 theorems on number theory, continued fractions, infinite series and partitions.
  • Introduced Ramanujan Prime, Theta function and Mock theta functions.
  • Although she had no formal training, she was made a fellow of the Royal Society of London.
  • He was known to have an instinctive understanding of mathematical problems.

2. C.V. Raman (1888-1971)

• Domain: Physics (Optics)
• Key Contributions:
  • Raman Effect (1928) was discovered and demonstrated how light is scattered and displayed a particle-like nature.
  • Nobel Prize in Physics (1930) Won Nobel first and only Asian Nobel laureate to get Nobel in science.
  • His finding was the basis of quantum mechanics and spectroscopy.

3. Jagdish Chandra Bose (1858-1937)

• Subject: Physics, Biophysics and Botany
• Key Contributions:
  • Radio and microwave optics pioneer.
  • Carried out some of the early wireless transmission experiments which were earlier than Marconi.
  • Showed sensitivity in plants and established the fact that plants possess life responses through his invention- the Crescograph.
  • The first Indian to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (1920).

4. Homi Jahangir Bhabha (1909-1966)

• Field: Nuclear Physics
• Key Contributions:
  • Architect of India’s nuclear program.
  • Established Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
  • Encouraged atomic energy to be used peacefully in agriculture, medicine and energy.
  • Proponent of autonomous scientific research.

5. Vikram Sarabhai (1919-1971)

• Area: Space Science
• Key Contributions:
  • The Indian Space Programme; founder of ISRO.
  • India has launched its first satellite called Aryabhata.
  • Encouraged and encouraged the application of space technology in communication, weather and education.
  • Carried out fundamental studies on cosmic rays.

6. Verghese Kurien (1921-2012)

• Its history: Dairy Science and Rural Development
• Key Contributions:
  • In the White Revolution, he was referred to as the Father of White Revolution.
  • Became the founder of Amul and NDDB and introduced the Anand model of dairy cooperatives.
  • Contributed to the emergence of India as the biggest milk producer in the world.
  • Advocated rural self-help and collective agriculture.

7. Satyendra Nath Bose (18941974)

• Field: Theoretical Physics
• Key Contributions:
  • Created the BoseEinstein Statistic in joint effort with Albert Einstein.
  • He is named after the term, boson (particles with an integer spin).
  • His work has been the basis of discovering Bose-Einstein Condensate.
  • It was crucial to quantum statistical mechanics.

8. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910-1995)

• Field: Astrophysics
• Key Contributions
  • The Chandrasekhar Limit - the greatest mass of a stable white dwarf star (~1.4 solar masses) also came to light.
  • Work described how massive stars are developing into supernovae, neutron stars, or black holes.
  • Nobel laureate in Physics, 1983 (with William A. Fowler).

Key Scientists

Conclusion for RPSC

India has a well-documented history of scientific-minded thinkers, not only developing the global science, but also working towards national tasks and problems, food security, space exploration, etc. Their cross-disciplinary contributions, which ranged between Ramanujan glamorous theorems to the Kurien milk revolution, demonstrates how scientific innovation can change things in societies. These heroes still motivate India to become a world leader in the knowledge and technology sector in the 21st century.

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