Top 10 Scientists in India: From Zero to Science Heroes

“Can you visualize a world without zeros? Not at all! right? Well, thanks to one of the scientists in India, who introduced us to zero.” Our India is known for its diverse cultures and wisdom of ancient times! But did you know it is also the birthplace of many extraordinary scientific minds in the world?

Well, this blog is for you to celebrate the well-known scientists in India, whose scientific contributions became the talk of the globe. Excited? Let’s get started!

Here are the top 10 scientists in India

1.     Sir C. V. Raman

• Sir C. V. Raman discovered the Raman Effect in 1928, explaining how light scatters and changes frequency. This discovery made him one of the top scientists in India.

• The ‘Raman Effect’ is still a key concept in physics and is widely used in chemistry, medicine, and textiles. His work continues to shape modern science.

• Raman played a major role in India’s scientific growth by establishing ‘The Indian Academy of Science’ and ‘The Indian Journal of Physics’ to promote research.

• Raman was not only a scientist, but even topped the Indian Finance Services examination, proving his intelligence in multiple fields.

• His innovative work earned him worldwide recognition. C.V. Raman was the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his discovery of the Raman Effect.

Notable Awards:

• Fellow of the Royal Society
• Matteucci Medal
• Knight Bachelor
• Hughes Medal
• Nobel Prize in Physics
• Bharat Ratna
• Lenin Peace Prize

2. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a kind and humble man, making him one of the most beloved scientists in India and a true inspiration for all. Indeed, his contributions to the development of ‘ballistic missiles’ and ‘launch vehicle technologies’ earned him the title of “Missile Man of India.”

• After studying ‘Physics and Aeronautical Engineering’, he joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), playing a key role in developing ‘ballistic missiles’ and launch vehicle technologies.

• In 2002, Kalam became the 11th President of India with full support from both ‘Houses of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.’. His love for people earned him the title of ‘People’s President.’

• He led the launch of ‘India’s first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III)’ and developed the Agni and Prithvi missile systems, shaping India’s defense and space programs.

• Even after his presidency, he dedicated his life to ‘teaching, writing, and public service’, inspiring millions to dream big and contribute to India’s bright future.

Notable Awards:

• Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration – Government of India
• Veer Savarkar Award – Government of India
• SASTRA Ramanujan Prize – Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy, India
• Von Braun Award – National Space Society, United States
• India declared his birthday as World Students’ Day

3. Srinivasa Ramanujan

• Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of the greatest scientists in India, solved complex math problems without formal education, proving his natural talent in mathematics.

• He contributed 3,900 mathematical results, including the Ramanujan prime, theta function, partition formulae, and mock theta functions, which still inspire mathematicians today.

• When his mentor Hardy called 1729 a dull number, Ramanujan revealed it’s the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two ways!

The story of the number 1729:

During a hospital visit, Hardy (Ramanujan’s British Mentor) mentioned that the taxi’s number plate was 1729 – a seemingly dull number. Ramanujan disagreed, calling it fascinating. Because it’s the smallest number identifiable as the sum of two cubes in two different ways:

1. 1000 + 729 = 1729
2. 1728 + 1 = 1729

• His work on number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions led to incredible mathematical breakthroughs that are still studied and applied worldwide.

• His partnership with G.H. Hardy resulted in influential books and articles, cementing his reputation as ‘a symbol of mathematical brilliance’ and lifelong dedication to discovery.

Notable Awards:

Fellow of the Royal Society (1918)

4. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose

• Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose invented the ‘Crescograph,’ a device that magnifies plant movements up to 10,000 times, proving that plants react to light, sound, and chemicals.

• His research showed that plants can recognize and adapt to their surroundings, laying the foundation for modern plant biology and inspiring future discoveries.

• Bose was a key person in radio wave technology, which later influenced today’s WiFi and wireless communication systems, making him one of the greatest scientists in India.

• In Kolkata’s Town Hall, Bose used millimeter-range microwaves to ignite gunpowder and ring a bell from a distance, proving the potential of wireless technology.

• His creative discoveries in physics and biology continue to influence modern science, proving that curiosity and innovation can change the world!

Notable awards:

Knight Bachelor

Companion of The Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)

Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI)

Notable awards:

• Companion of The Order of the Indian Empire (CIE)
• Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI)
• Knight Bachelor

5. Dr. Homi J. Bhabha

• Homi J. Bhabha, also known as ‘the father of India’s nuclear program, played a key role in India’s nuclear advancements, founding the Atomic Energy Commission to operate scientific innovation in the country.

• He established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in 1945 and led the Trombay Atomic Energy Establishment in 1954, now called Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

• Bhabha earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics and received the Isaac Newton Studentship before earning his doctorate in Nuclear Physics in 1933. Also, his first paper, ‘The Absorption of Cosmic Radiation,’ marked an important highlight in his career.

• His research led to the discovery of Bhabha Scattering, which explains how particles interact at high energy levels and is widely studied in quantum physics.

• As one of the most brilliant scientists in India, his work in nuclear physics and quantum theory continues to shape modern science and inspire future generations.

Notable Awards:

• Adams Prize
• Padma Bhushan
• Fellow of the Royal Society

6. Vikram Sarabhai

• Vikram Sarabhai, often famous as ‘the father of India’s space program’ led India’s space journey by founding ISRO and launching Aryabhata, the country’s first satellite, in 1975, marking a historic achievement.

• At just 28 years old, he founded the Physical Research Laboratory and later established the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, shaping India’s education system.

• Vikram played a key role in establishing the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station, making India a global player in space research.

• His partnership with NASA led to the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), using satellites to bring education to remote villages in India.

• Honored with awards, his name remains in Chandrayaan-2’s lander and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, inspiring future scientists in India and beyond.

Notable Awards:

• Padma Bhushan
• Padma Vibhushan (posthumously)

7. Satyendra Nath Bose

• Satyendra Nath Bose was an Indian physicist well-known for his collaborations with Albert Einstein. His work in quantum mechanics led to Bose-Einstein statistics and the discovery of Bose-Einstein condensate, a unique state of matter at extremely low temperatures.

• After his initial research was ignored, Bose directly sent it to Einstein, who appreciated its value and collaborated with him, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in particle physics.

• The term ‘Boson,’ a type of particle in physics, is named after Bose, highlighting his major impact on the scientific world.

• Bose was a National Professor and headed many scientific institutions, mentoring future scientists in India and advancing research in various fields.

• His note-worthy work has not only helped us understand ‘particle behavior’, but has also earned him top national awards, recognizing his contributions to science and education, and inspiring generations of researchers worldwide.

Notable Awards:

• Padma Vibhushan
• Fellow of the Royal Society

8. Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

• Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan won the 2009 Nobel Prize for his clever research on ribosomes, which are essential for making proteins in all living cells.

• He started with a Ph.D. in Physics but later shifted his interest to biology, guiding him toward ‘structural biology’, focusing on the structure of molecules that control life’s processes.

• His research helped scientists understand how ribosomes work, helping them gain deeper insights into how life functions at the molecular level.

• He has been a resilient advocate for science in India, encouraging research and inspiring young scientists in India and worldwide.

• His journey from India to the United States, and then to winning a Nobel Prize, proves that dedication and curiosity can lead to remarkable discoveries.

Notable Awards:

• Knight Bachelor
• Padma Vibhushan
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine
• Member of the National Academy of Sciences
• Order of Merit

9. Aryabhata

• Aryabhata introduced new ways to find square and cubic roots and calculated π (pi) as 3.1416, which is very close to its actual value.

• He worked on quadratic and linear equations, which are now the foundation of modern mathematics used in science, engineering, and daily life.

• Aryabhata was among the first to say that the Earth rotates on its axis, explaining day and night centuries before modern science proved it.

• He accurately described lunar and solar eclipses and calculated the sidereal year (time Earth takes to orbit the Sun) with impressive accuracy.

• Aryabhata introduced the ‘decimal system’ and ‘the concept of zero,’ two discoveries that shaped mathematics and made calculations easier worldwide.

Notable Awards:

• Aryabhata did not win any awards himself, as recognition of achievements was not usual during his time. However, in his honor – The ‘Aryabhata Award’ is an award given to individuals with remarkable contributions in the field of astronautics and aerospace technology in India.

10.  Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis

• Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis is known as the father of statistical science in India, creating innovative techniques that still shape the field today.

• He developed the Mahalanobis distance, a powerful tool that changed the way we measure the difference between data points in statistics.

• Mahalanobis founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), which has become a leading center for research and education in statistics in India.

• He used random sampling techniques to calculate crop yields and measure land acreage, making a lasting impact on statistical methods in agriculture.

• Mahalanobis played a key role in the Planning Commission of Free India, using his statistical expertise to help develop the country’s growth strategies.

Notable Awards:

• Padma Vibhushan
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
• Weldon Memorial Prize

Well, here is a bonus for my curious readers! I have curated the list of books authored by these great scientists in India.

Here is the list of books authored by Indian scientists

1.     Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Dr. Kalam was a fruitful writer! His works span a range of topics from science to spirituality. Here is a list of his books:

• Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology (1988)
• India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium (1998)
• Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (1999)
• Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India (2002)
• The Luminous Sparks (2004)
• Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life (2005)
• Mission India (2005)
• Inspiring Thoughts (2007)
• Indomitable Spirit (2007)
• Envisioning an Empowered Nation (2014)
• You Are Born to Blossom: Take My Journey Beyond (2011)
• Target 3 Billion (2011)
• Reignited: Scientific Pathways to a Brighter Future (2015)
• A Manifesto for Change: A Sequel to India 2020 (2014)
• Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji (2015)
• Forge Your Future: Candid, Forthright, Inspiring (2018)
• Learning How to Fly: Life Lessons for the Youth (2018)
• My Days: A Personal Memoir (2019)
• Beyond 2020: A Vision for Tomorrow’s India (2020)
• The Family and the Nation (1998)
• The Lively Earth: Understanding Our Microbial World (2011)
• The Life Tree: Poems (2021)

2.     Srinivasa Ramanujan

Ramanujan’s contributions are primarily in the form of research papers and notebooks. His work has been gathered posthumously (After his death):

• The Collected Papers of Srinivasa Ramanujan
• Notebooks of Srinivasa Ramanujan

3.     Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose

Sir Bose authored several books detailing his scientific research:

• Response in the Living and Non-Living (1902)
• The Nervous Mechanism of Plants (1926)
• Plant Autographs and Their Revelations (1927)
• Growth and Tropic Movements of Plants (1928)

4.     Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

Dr. Ramakrishnan authored an autobiographical account:

• Gene Machine: The Race to Decipher the Secrets of the Ribosome (2018)

5.     Aryabhata

Aryabhata, the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, is known for his major work:

• Aryabhatiya

End Note

As we conclude the journey through the lives of these great scientists in India, we realize it is much more than just a walk down memory lane of inventions! It’s a call to awaken the curiosity in each one of us.

Moreover, their innovation stories are like the power source to ignite our extraordinary dreams into reality! Do you feel the spark? If yes? Let’s together celebrate the spirit of discovery within us and encourage the coming generation to reach for the stars contributing to a future where science and curiosity create endless possibilities.

FAQs

1. What are the greatest contributions of Indian scientists?

Indian scientists have made innovative discoveries in mathematics, physics, medicine, and space exploration. Some notable achievements include C.V. Raman’s Raman Effect, Aryabhata’s work in astronomy, and ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission.

2. Who is the No.1 scientist in India today?

There is no single ‘No.1’ scientist, but scientists like Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, Gagandeep Kang, and K. Sivan are leading in research today. Their work in biotechnology, space science, and medical research is shaping India’s future.

3. How have scientists in India changed the world?

Scientists in India have made discoveries that impact the entire world, from ancient mathematical concepts to modern space missions. Their work in zero, Ayurveda, fiber optics, and green energy has improved global science.

Simran Khan