The Ministry of Science & Technology has launched five new popular science magazines in Indian languages to make scientific knowledge more accessible across the country. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology unveiled the magazines on the occasion of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Foundation Day on 26 September 2026.
The initiative, led by the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), aims to expand science communication beyond English and Hindi to reach readers in their own languages. The magazines join existing publications in English, Hindi and Urdu already published by the institute.
Key facts
- Five new magazines launched in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and Assamese
- Magazine titles: Bigyan Lahar (Assamese), Bigyan Brittanto (Bengali), Vidnyan Kshitij (Marathi), Ariviyal Arikkaiyalar (Tamil), Vigyan Velugu (Telugu)
- Launch date: 26 September 2026, on CSIR’s 85th Foundation Day
- Publisher: CSIR-NIScPR under the Ministry of Science & Technology
- Existing publications continued: Science Reporter (English), Vigyan Pragati (Hindi), Science ki Duniya (Urdu)
What these magazines contain
Each magazine combines translated content with original articles written in the respective Indian languages. The translated material comes from CSIR-NIScPR’s existing popular science publications, adapted for regional audiences. Original articles highlight scientific achievements and innovations from the respective regions, encouraging science writing in Indian languages.
The use of artificial intelligence helps accelerate the translation process. Selected content from the three flagship magazines is first translated using AI technology. Human experts then review, proofread, fact-check and refine the translations to ensure scientific accuracy, linguistic quality and readability. This hybrid approach balances speed with editorial standards.
How this expands science communication in India
CSIR-NIScPR has a long history of publishing popular science magazines to make scientific knowledge accessible beyond academic circles. The institute previously served English, Hindi and Urdu-speaking readers through Science Reporter, Vigyan Pragati and Science ki Duniya respectively.
The five new magazines extend this mission to speakers of major Indian languages across different regions. Tamil and Telugu serve the southern states, Marathi covers the western region, while Bengali and Assamese serve eastern India. By publishing in regional languages, the magazines aim to reach people who prefer to read in their mother tongue and to strengthen science writing traditions in these languages.
The editorial teams
Each magazine has dedicated editors and editorial teams responsible for content creation and quality. Dr Paramananda Barman and Dr Bornali Sharma lead the Assamese publication. Dr Uttam Kumar Jana heads the Bengali magazine. Shri Mukesh Ambadas Pund serves as editor of the Marathi edition, while Dr S. Bhuvanesh and Dr L. Sandhiya manage the Tamil magazine. Dr N. K. Prasanna edits the Telugu version. The overall coordination was handled by Shri Mukesh Ambadas Pund and Dr Meher Wan.
What this means for you
If you read Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali or Assamese, these magazines offer access to reliable science communication in your preferred language. Students preparing for competitive exams can use the magazines to understand scientific concepts more clearly in their mother tongue. Teachers and science communicators in these regions gain resources to promote scientific literacy locally. The magazines also encourage science writing in Indian languages, creating opportunities for writers and journalists interested in science communication.
The initiative supports the broader government vision of making India scientifically informed and inclusive by ensuring that quality science content is not limited to English-speaking audiences.