National Scientific Temper Day 2026
Use Scientific Temper to improve quality of life.
In 2018, the All-India People’s Science Network (AIPSN), in collaboration with the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), initiated the observance of 20th August as National Scientific Temper Day. This day marks the assassination by right-wing forces of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, who lost his life because of his relentless crusade against superstition and for the spread of scientific temper. This has now emerged as a public movement to consolidate voices of reason against the forces of superstition and pseudoscience.
We are a nation with youth power, and it is the young people who have the power to change the world, which can only happen through responsible and holistic education. Even at the level of school education, we are seeing constant attempts to change history in the textbooks, change syllabi to leave out sections that question blind faith, like Darwin’s theory of biological evolution, and include pseudoscientific ideas in the name of the Indian Knowledge System.
It is deeply troubling that premier institutions like IITs should lend legitimacy to topics such as astrology, out-of-body experiences, and reincarnation, as in a conference special session chaired by the director of IIT Mandi during a conference held in June at IIT Mandi. These are claims for which no credible scientific evidence exists. This was a special session chaired by the IIT Mandi director along with a professor from IIT Kanpur in a conference held at IIT Mandi in June 2026. Reports of support from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) raise serious questions about the use of public funds for activities that fail accepted scientific standards. Allowing pseudoscientific claims under their authority erodes public trust, weakens scientific temper, and compromises the integrity of higher education.
In recent times, constant promotion of Vedic science and glorification of the past are a common trend. We have seen a rise in blind faith in Ayurveda, Vastushastra, and astrology. India has been the cradle of Ayurveda, but with the advent of modern medicine, the need for rigorous testing and standardization has been realized. Unfortunately, pseudoscientific ideas like the promotion of “immunity boosters” and home-brewed remedies for diseases without medical consultation often affect the population, but the lack of awareness and the promotion of traditional medicine are growing challenges for our society.
Article 51A(h) of our Constitution urges us to build scientific temper – the ability to reason, the urge to question, and to nurture the practice of evidence-based inquiry. In the 76 years following the birth of our Republic, we have failed as a nation in this constitutional duty to a large extent. As Ambedkar said in the context of the inequalities in the caste system, “Democracy in India is only a top-dressing on an Indian soil, which is essentially undemocratic.” This still holds true as seen by the rampant injustice and inequalities in our economic, social, and political systems. Inculcating a scientific temper is also important in fighting against the caste system. For example, the use of available validated evidence to make our decisions, rather than rely on misinformation, helps in our maintenance of mental and physical health in daily living. The Kolkata declaration of Scientific Temper 2024 highlights the need for Scientific Temper to be followed not only by the citizen but also by the State in the current day context.
This year, due to the super El Nino in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, there is a reported reduction of monsoon and 64% less rain this year. A weak or stalled monsoon will lead to failed crops, major water scarcity in many states across the country, spread of disease, and major impact on livelihoods, especially for the disadvantaged and underprivileged groups. It is necessary for the government to take steps to alleviate the economic effects on the affected farmers and marginalized groups. The US-Israel led war on Iran has hit us hard because there was no plan for reserves of fuel supplies. While we have been crying over rising fuel prices, our natural resources are being sold off to crony corporates in the name of development. The Great Nicobar, the Aravallis, the forests of Madhya Pradesh, the rocks from the mountains in Meghalaya, are being destroyed to favour a few corporates.
In the above circumstances we demand policies and government that
● Does not allow public money to fund the propagation of demonstrably false and anti-scientific claims.
● Does not ally with corporates to drive climate and environmental crises.
● Fights pseudoscience and mythical beliefs.
● Promotes only evidence-based indigenous knowledge systems.
● Enables a scientific temper in people's lives
● Follows and spreads the core concept of Kolkata declaration of scientific temper, 2024
Satyajit Rath Asha Mishra Arunabha Misra
President General Secretary Convenor, Scientific Temper Desk