(West Bengal)

Birla industrial & Technological Museum

Established in 1956 by the Council of Scientific and industrial Research; deals with basic science and technology; has large number of exhibits, designed, prepared and fabricated at its own workshop. Galleries cover models showing electricity, Electronics, Nuclear Physics, Iron and Steel, Optics, Motive Power, Communication and Mining.

Popular activities of the Museum include film shows demonstration-lectures, hobby activities, periodical programmes of sky-observation through telescopes. Runs several mobile units for the rural areas. Regional Science Museums at Malda and Purulia operate under this body.

The Birla Industrial and Technological Museum opened its door to the public on 2nd May, 1959. The museum, the first of its type in India, was started by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). It was at the initiative of Dr. B.C. Roy, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, that the House of Birlas donated the building and the adjoining plot of land. This originally belonged to Satyendranath Tagore, the elder brother of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore and was used for setting up a science museum. Since 1978 the museum has come under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) an autonomous body, set up by the Union Ministry of Education & Culture to administer the museums which were formerly under the CSIR and to develop new science museums in the country. The primary objective of the museum is to arouse scientific curiosity and an understanding of science and technology among the common people, especially the student-community. The objective is accomplished through permanent expositions in museum galleries and various educational extension programmes like Mobile Science Exhibitions, District Science Centres, Science Camps & Fairs and other related programmes.

GENERAL INFORMATION : The museum has several separate galleries exhibiting various wonders of science. Galleries: Atom, Motive Power, Transport, Iron and Steel, Copper, Petroleum, Mining, Popular Science, Electricity, Television, Communication, Computer Section, How Things work, Children's Gallery and Electronics. Museum Hours:10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Open everyday except Mondays, Doljatra and Kalipuja.

Special Attraction : Underground Mock-up Coal Mine, Rabbit House, Snake Pits, Aquarium, Aviary, Bonsai and Cacti Garden. Television and Scientific film shows are held frequently.


Birla industrial & Technological Museum
19A, Gurusaday Road,
Calcutta - 700 019.

Timings : 10.00 - 17.30. (Tuesday to Sunday )