On May 11, 1998, India broke into the small group of countries that hold nuclear weapons. On that day, India successfully carried out nuclear tests at the army’s Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. In doing so, India became the sixth country to join the 'Nuclear Club'. The tests were led by the late A P J Abdul Kalam, an aerospace scientist who went on to become India’s eleventh President. The tests were the second instance of nuclear testing in India after the first, code-named “Smiling Buddha”, in 1974.
On the same day in 1998, India tested its first indigenous aircraft Hansa-3 which took flight in Bengaluru. The aircraft was meant for surveillance, pilot training, and other reconnaissance purposes. The day also saw the successful test firing of the surface-to-air missile Trishul.
With multiple technological advancements accomplished on the same day, the Indian government declared May 11 as National Technology Day. It was officially signed by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The first National Technology Day was observed in 1999.
Since then, the Technology Development Board (TDB)—a statutory body within the Department of Science and Technology at the Centre—has been celebrating the day by honouring technological innovations that have added to the national growth.
Each year the Board organises an event where the President of India confers awards to scientists for their contributions. Various seminars and workshops are also held.
The Board also decides a theme for National Technology Day each year. The theme for 2022 is “Integrated Approach in Science & Technology for Sustainable Future”. The theme was launched by Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
