Uttarakhand to Establish India Fifth Science City in Dehradun
Source:drishtiias ↗

Why It Matters
Important state-specific current affairs for UKPSC Prelims regarding scientific infrastructure and educational development in Uttarakhand.
Summary
Uttarakhand is establishing India's 5th Science City in Jhajra, Dehradun, to enhance science learning, technological awareness, and research interest in the state.
Key Points
- Uttarakhand is set to establish India's 5th Science City in Jhajra, Dehradun.
- The project aims to promote science education, popularize science, and foster a culture of innovation among students and the general public.
- It will feature interactive science museums, planetariums, innovation hubs, and outdoor science parks.
Important Terms
UCOST
The Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology is an autonomous body of the state government promoting science popularization, research, and technological development across Uttarakhand.
UPSC context
Important for UKPSC Paper V / State Specific Info, testing knowledge of institutional bodies driving scientific infrastructure like India's 5th Science City in Dehradun.
Government of Uttarakhand
The elected provincial administration of Uttarakhand, responsible for policy formulation, infrastructure funding, and executing developmental initiatives like the Science City project in Jhajra.
UPSC context
Relevant for UKPSC Prelims and Mains (Polity and Governance / State Affairs), testing administrative updates and policy implementation in the state.
Prelims Trap
Uttarakhand is establishing India's first Science City in Jhajra, Dehradun.
Aspirants often confuse Science Cities with standard science museums or regional science centres. Science Cities are massive multi-acre hubs with specialised thematic zones and planetariums.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the major science cities established in India prior to the Uttarakhand project?
- First City: Kolkata Science City is India's first and largest science city, established under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM).
- Other Centers: Other functional science cities include those in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Guwahati (Assam), and Kapurthala (Punjab).
Cross-Topic Patterns
Science Infrastructure + State Tourism Circuits
Linking infrastructure developments like Science Cities with state tourism circuits (e.g., Manaskhand corridor) helps evaluate integrated regional development models in Uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand Science City location (Jhajra, Dehradun) and the count (5th in India) will likely be tested in a direct factual prelims MCQs.
Linked PYQs · 2
Linked PYQs · 2
- 2024UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Headquarters of which of the following is located in Dehradun, the Capital of Uttarakhand ?
- 2025UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which of the following is incorrectly matched about Central Government Institutes located in Uttarakhand?