Name *

Email Address *

Phone *

Select *ExamUPSCUPPCSBPSC

Select *MediumEnglishHindi

Submit

National Technology Day is celebrated in India on 11th May every year to honor the phenomenal achievements of scientists, engineers, and innovators who have played an important role in shaping the nation’s technological landscape. The National Technology Day marks the historic moment in 1998 when India conducted nuclear tests in Pokharan successfully that moved the country into the league of global nuclear powers. National Technology Day also serves as a reminder of India’s journey toward self-reliance, innovation, and scientific excellence.

The National Technology Day 2025 mainly focuses on how technology can be a powerful enabler of growth and sustainable development. With various enhancements in fields such as space exploration, digital infrastructure, biotechnology, and clean energy, the National Technology Day in India celebrates both past milestones and the limitless potential of our scientific future.

National Technology Day 2025 Overview

National Technology Day 2025 will be celebrated on 11th May 2025, Sunday, across India to honor the nation’s technological advancements and contributions of its scientific community. The day was instituted in 1999 by the Government of India as an anniversary of the successful nuclear tests conducted at Pokhran on May 11, 1998, under Operation Shakti.

The National Technology Day in India is a reflection of India’s continuous efforts in innovation advancement, technologies development, and using science for societal improvement rather than just a celebration of past achievements. There are various events, exhibitions, and policy announcements on the National Technology Day to demonstrate how technology is shaping modern India from digital transformation to space exploration.

Also Read: National and International Days 2025

National Technology Day 2025 Theme 

The National Technology Day 2025 theme is “Empowering a Sustainable Tomorrow Through Innovation.” The theme mainly refers to the importance of innovation in developing a sustainable future. The 2025 theme is also emphasising on the importance of cutting edge technologies to address global issues such as climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. 

The World Technology Day 2025 theme aims to inspire people, industries and policymakers to adopt eco-friendly practices and create technological advancements that enable a greener planet by using sustainable solutions. 

The 2025 theme also highlights the importance of developing a culture of innovation that prioritises sustainability and encourages the development and implementation of technologies that drive economic growth as well as ensure environmental prevention and social well being. With focusing on all these points, National Technology Day 2025 seeks  to motivate stakeholders across various sectors to collaborate and innovate for a sustainable and prosperous future.

By celebrating this theme, India proclaims its commitment to sustainable development and showcases its dedication to harnessing technology for the betterment of society and the environment.

Also Read: Important Days in May 2025

National Technology Day 2025 History 

The National Technology Day is rooted in a landmark event in India’s scientific and defense history. On 11th May 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan under Operation Shakti successfully. All these nuclear tests showed India’s advanced capabilities and advancement and marked a major progress toward self-reliance in defense technology.

The nuclear tests were conducted under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who later declared May 11 as National Technology Day to celebrate the achievement. The announcement came in 1999, when the Government of India officially designated the day to honor not only the success of the nuclear tests but also the broader spectrum of India’s technological achievements.

In addition to the nuclear tests, May 11, 1998, also saw significant progress in other technological fields:

• Hansa-3, India’s first indigenously developed aircraft, took its maiden flight.
• The DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) played an integral role in the advancement of nuclear and defense technology.

After that day, National Technology Day has become India’s technological strength symbol for celebrating innovational advancement across space, healthcare, information technology, renewable energy, and more.

National Technology Day 2025 Significance 

National Technology Day has a special importance as this day every year reflects India’s tremendous journey towards scientific excellence and technological self-reliance. This day commemorates not only the Pokhran nuclear tests 1998 success but also India’s broader commitment to leveraging technology for national development.

Key Reasons Why World Technology Day Matters:

• The world technology day honours scientists, engineers and technologists who worked on the technological innovations and strengthened India’s strategic, economic and infrastructural positions globally.
• The Operation Shakti successful execution in 1998 was a critical moment in asserting India’s defense capabilities and positioning India as a responsible nuclear state.
• This day encourages research, innovation, and development in sectors such as space, health, digital infrastructure, and clean energy.
• This day also motivates students and young professionals to pursue their careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), so they can also contribute to India’s knowledge economy.
• On this day many initiatives are taken including government announcements, awards, and the launch of tech initiatives that will help in future policies and boost industry-academia collaboration.
• With the 2025 theme being “Empowering a Sustainable Tomorrow Through Innovation,” the day also underscores the role of technology in addressing climate change, energy efficiency, and sustainable development.

National Technology Day is a forward-looking celebration that maintains India’s vision of becoming a global technology leader while ensuring inclusive and sustainable progress.

Also Read: World Press Freedom Day 2025

What is Operation Shakti?

Operation Shakti is also known as Pokhran-II. This mission includes a series of five underground nuclear tests conducted by the Indian government on May 11 and 13, 1998, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. These nuclear tests marked an unexpected milestone in India’s defense and scientific history, and the country’s status as a nuclear power.

Operation Shakti Key Highlights:

• Date: May 11 and 13, 1998
• Location: Pokhran Test Range, Rajasthan, India
• Conducted By: Indian Army and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Leadership: Carried out under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with key scientists like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. R. Chidambaram playing pivotal roles
• Number of Tests: 5 (including both fission and thermonuclear devices)
• Objective: To validate India’s nuclear weapons capability and demonstrate technological advancement in defense

These tests were conducted in complete secrecy and took the international community by surprise. Following the tests, India faced global diplomatic and economic sanctions but stood firm on its right to self-defense and technological self-reliance.

Operation Shakti not only established India’s nuclear deterrence capability but also showcased its scientific and engineering expertise. It laid the foundation for India’s modern defense and strategic policies, making May 11 a historic day celebrated annually as National Technology Day.

Also Read: UPSC Exam 2025

Smiling Buddha India’s First Nuclear Test

Before Operation Shakti, India conducted its first successful nuclear test on May 18, 1974, using the codename “Smiling Buddha.” It was carried out at the Pokhran test site and made India the sixth country in the world to possess nuclear capabilities. This test laid the foundation for India’s nuclear and technological advancements in the decades that followed.

Scientific and Technological Achievements

India has made significant progress in several scientific and technological domains over the years, such as:

• ISRO’s missions such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and the Gaganyaan program.
• Growth in digital infrastructure, UPI payments, and e-governance.
• Development of indigenous vaccines and biotech solutions.
• Indigenous development of missiles, aircraft, and cybersecurity systems.
• Advancements in renewable energy, electric mobility, and sustainable agriculture.

Also Read: UPSC Free Resources

Conclusion 

National Technology Day 2025 is not just a celebration of past achievements but a call to action for a brighter, tech-enabled future. It reminds us of the important role that science and innovation play in national development and global standing. With a focus on inclusivity and sustainability, India is set to lead the world into a new era of responsible and resilient technological growth.

Are you preparing for UPSC 2025? Join IAShub’s UPSC coaching batches to boost your preparation. Enroll now!

National Technology Day 2025 FAQs