India’s government has unveiled the prestigious “Rastriya Vigyan Puraskar,” acknowledging remarkable achievements in the realms of Science, Technology, and Innovation. This national award honors the exemplary contributions of researchers, technologists, and innovators who have significantly impacted these fields.
The call is open for nominations and applications for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), targeting individuals or teams displaying excellence in diverse areas of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.
The awards encompass various categories:
- Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognizing lifetime achievements and contributions in specific fields of Science and Technology, with a maximum of three awards.
- Vigyan Shri (VS): Commending distinguished contributions in designated fields of Science and Technology, with a cap of 25 awards.
- Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) Award: Acknowledging and motivating young scientists who have made extraordinary contributions in specified fields of Science and Technology, with a maximum of 25 awards.
- Vigyan Team (VT) Award: Granting a maximum of three awards to teams comprising three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators demonstrating outstanding collaborative contributions in designated fields of Science and Technology.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar encompasses 13 domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others.
Nominations for these awards are being accepted on the Award Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs (https://awards.gov.in/) from January 14, 2024, to February 28, 2024. Comprehensive guidelines and details about RVP are available on the awards portal. This year’s awards are being overseen by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The winners will be announced on May 11, 2024 (National Technology Day), and the Award Ceremony for all categories is scheduled for August 23, 2024 (National Space Day).