The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have fostered a culture of excellence, innovation and global leadership in India.
- IITs are autonomous prestigious engineering and technology-oriented institutes, aimed to provide trained technical personnel of international class.
- Declared as Institutes of National Importance; first IIT at Kharagpur (1951); now expanded to 23 IITs.
Contributions of Ancient India to Modern Science
- Ancient universities: Takshashila, Nalanda, and Vikramshila fostered scientific inquiry, multidisciplinary learning, and global knowledge exchange.
- Takshashila: Decentralized learning system; eminent scholars- Panini, Chanakya
- Nalanda: World's First Residential International University; Chinese scholars like Hiuen Tsang and I-Tsing studied.
- Vikramshila: State-administered, centre for advanced research and teacher training.
- Mathematics: Concept of Zero, decimal system; contributions of Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and Baudhayana.
- Medicine & Surgery: Sushruta pioneered surgical techniques E.g. cataract; Charaka laid the foundations of Ayurveda.
- Physics: Kanada's Vaisheshika School proposed the concept of atoms (Anu) as the basic unit of matter.
- Metallurgy: E.g. Iron Pillar of Delhi demonstrates corrosion-resistant metallurgy.
- Astronomy: Studies of planetary motions, eclipses, etc. by scholars like Aryabhata.
Initiatives Taken to Promote Science, Technology, and Innovation
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