Context

National Technology Day is observed every year on 11th May across the country.

• This day is commemorated as an achievement of India’s technical advances, since on May 11, 1998, the country successfully tested nuclear weapons in Pokhran.

Background

• May 11 was declared as ‘National Technology Day’ by former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• ‘National Technology Day’ was first observed on May 11, 1999.
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• It was on 11th May 1998, that India achieved a major technological breakthrough by successfully carrying out a series of nuclear tests at Pokhran. 
• The Government of India, officially declared 11 May as National Technology Day to commemorate the 5 nuclear tests that were successfully carried out on 11 May 1998.
• Considering the technological advancements, the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared 11th May to be celebrated as National Technology Day every year.

Theme

• The theme for National Technology Day 2022 is “Integrated Approach in Science and technology for a sustainable future”. 
• The theme of National Technology Day 2021 was "Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”.

Significance

• It is the day India successfully tested nuclear bombs in Pokhran on 11th May, 1998.
• India successfully test-fired its Shakti-1 nuclear missile in an operation called Pokhran-II, also codenamed as Operation Shakti which was led by late president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
• The nuclear missile was tested at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. This was the second test which was conducted after Pokhran-I codenamed Operation Smiling Buddha, in May 1974.
• On the same day, India performed a successful test firing of the Trishul Missile (surface to air short range missile) and had test flown the first indigenous aircraft – ‘Hansa – 3’.