The Government of India has announced a new set of National Awards for Science, Technology and Innovation called “Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’’. These awards aim to honour the outstanding and inspiring achievements of scientists, technologists and innovators in various domains of science, technology and innovation.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) will be one of the highest recognitions in the field of science, technology and innovation in India. The awards are open to scientists, technologists and innovators working in government, private sector or as individuals, who have made significant contributions in terms of groundbreaking research, innovation or discovery in any field of science, technology or innovation.
New Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar for outstanding and inspiring achievements of scientists, technologists and innovators in India
The new Government of India awards will also acknowledge the exceptional contributions of People of Indian Origin living abroad who have benefited the Indian communities or society through their work. The awards will be given in four categories:-
– Vigyan Ratna (VR) award will recognize lifetime achievements and contributions made in any field of science and technology.
– Vigyan Shri (VS) award will recognize distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
– Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award will recognize and encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years who have made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology.
– Vigyan Team (VT) award will be given to a team that has demonstrated excellence in collaborative research or innovation in any field of science, technology or innovation.
The RVP awards will be conferred by the President of India on the occasion of National Science Day, which is celebrated on February 28 every year. The awardees will receive a citation, a medal and a cash prize ranging from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore depending on the category. The RVP awards will replace the existing Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, which was instituted in 1958.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar are expected to boost the morale and motivation of the scientific community in India and foster a culture of excellence, innovation and social impact. The awards will also showcase the achievements of Indian science, technology and innovation to the world and inspire the next generation of scientists, technologists and innovators.
Vigyan Team (VT) award to be given to a team comprising of three or more scientists/researchers/innovators who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in any field of science and technology.
Scientists, technologists, and innovators working in any field of science in government or private organizations who have contributed or carried out a path breaking research, technology led innovation or discovery in any field of science or development of innovative technologies/products having significant societal impact shall be eligible for the award.
Scientists, technologists, and innovators of Indian origin abroad with exceptional contributions benefitting the Indian communities or society at large shall also be eligible.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar shall be given in the 13 domains, namely 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. The representation from each domain/field, including gender parity will be ensured.
All nominations received for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar awards shall be placed before the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC) to beheaded by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to Government of India and comprising Secretaries of Science Departments, members of Science and Engineering Academies and some distinguished scientists and technologists from different fields of science and technology.
The nominations for this bouquet of awards will be invited every year on 14th January which would remain open till 28th February (National Science Day) every year. These awards shall be announced on 11thMay (National Technology Day) every year. The Award Ceremony for all categories of awards will be held on 23rd August (National Space Day). All Awards will have a Sanad& a medal.
These new National Awards is a transformative step in recognizing achievements of Scientific community at the highest level by the Government of India. With transparency and fairness in the entire selection process, work done by all sections of Scientific Innovators and Technologists will be awarded providing at par status with other National Awards
