National Council of Science Museums (NCSM)

Recently, the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) received two prestigious PRSI National Awards 2025 from the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), recognising its outstanding efforts in science communication and public outreach.

About the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM)

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) is an autonomous society functioning under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was established on 4 April 1978 and has its headquarters in Kolkata.

Organisational Structure and Network

NCSM manages a vast network of 26 science museums and science centres spread across India. It also operates the Central Research and Training Laboratory (CRTL) in Kolkata, which serves as the Council’s central hub for professional training, research, and development in museum sciences and science communication.

National-Level Science Centres under NCSM

The major national-level institutions under NCSM include:

Science City, Kolkata
Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM), Kolkata
Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM), Bengaluru
National Science Centre, Delhi
National Science Centre, Guwahati

Except for Science City, Kolkata, all these centres have regional, sub-regional, or district-level science centres, known as Satellite Units (SUs), to ensure wider outreach.

Expansion and Collaborative Role

Beyond its own network, NCSM also develops science centres and museums for various States and Union Territories. It has created specialised centres and galleries for several government organisations such as ONGC, BEL, and ICAR.

At the international level, NCSM has collaborated on projects like the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre in Mauritius and the ‘India’ Gallery on Buddhism at the International Buddhist Museum in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Science Communication and Public Outreach

A core objective of NCSM is to communicate science for societal empowerment. It conducts:

Mobile Science Exhibitions
Scientific lectures and demonstrations
Training programmes and workshops
Publications and educational activities

These initiatives aim to promote scientific temper and make science accessible to people of all age groups.

Global Significance

Today, the National Council of Science Museums constitutes the largest network of science centres and museums in the world operating under a single administrative umbrella, making it a globally significant institution in science education and outreach.

Conclusion

The recent PRSI National Awards 2025 highlight NCSM’s pivotal role in science communication and public engagement. Through its extensive network, innovative outreach programmes, and national and international collaborations, NCSM continues to strengthen India’s scientific culture and awareness

Source: PIB

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