A scientific temper is not new to this country that invented the zero and had complex astronomical observatories centuries ago. Contemporary India has made major strides in theoretical and applied research in such diverse fields as atomic energy, space remote sensing, biotechnology, electronics and oceanography.
           The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has a network of 40 laboratories and over 100 extension and field centres. The country has become one of the five members of the exclusive space club which has the capability to design, fabricate and launch satellite systems. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) now has several captive satellite-based networks. The Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is a world-class institution for nuclear research which has led the country to become not only self-reliant but also enabled it to complete the entire nuclear fuel cycle from exploration and mining of nuclear fuel ores to power generation and waste management.