Why in News?
The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) recently received two Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) National Awards. Its “Har Ghar Museum” digital initiative won the award for best use of social media in a corporate campaign, while the publication “Waste to Art”, documenting art installations made from discarded materials, was recognised as a special publication. The awards highlight NCSM’s efforts to engage citizens in scientific and environmental awareness.
Background
NCSM is an autonomous society under the Ministry of Culture. It was formed on 4 April 1978 in response to a Planning Commission task force that recommended a network of science museums across India. Headquartered in Kolkata, NCSM now administers 26 science museums and centres and a Central Research & Training Laboratory. National‑level centres include Science City Kolkata, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum in Kolkata, Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore, and the National Science Centres in Delhi and Guwahati. Except for Science City Kolkata, each national centre oversees regional and district satellite units.
Activities
- Science communication: NCSM develops interactive galleries, exhibitions and innovation hubs that make science accessible to students and the general public.
- Mobile exhibitions: Its mobile science exhibition buses carry science models and demonstrations to rural areas, inspiring curiosity among children who may have never visited a museum.
- Training and research: The Central Research & Training Laboratory in Kolkata trains museum professionals and develops new interactive exhibits.
- Collaborations: NCSM builds science centres for states and union territories and collaborates internationally. Notable projects include the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre in Mauritius and an “India” gallery at the International Buddhist Museum in Sri Lanka.
Recent Achievements
- Har Ghar Museum: This digital initiative encourages people to share photographs and stories of personal artefacts, creating a collective virtual museum. It has garnered millions of online interactions.
- Waste to Art: NCSM’s publication documents how 1,250 kilograms of scrap metal, electronics and plastic were transformed into art installations celebrating the circular economy. It features workshops and competitions that involve students and artists.
- PRSI awards: The organisation won two national awards at the 47th All India Public Relations Conference held in December 2025, recognising its creative use of social media and environmental messaging.
