The Centre has unveiled a new set of national awards in science, technology and innovation called the ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’.

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar will be one of the highest recognitions in science, technology and innovation and it will be given across four categories.

They are:

i) The Vigyan Ratna award will recognise lifetime achievements and contributions in any field of science and technology.

ii) Vigyan Shri award will recognise distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.

iii) Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award will recognise and encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years who made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology.

iv) Vigyan Team award will be given to a team comprising three or more scientists/researchers/ innovators who have made exceptional contributions working in a team in any field of science and technology.

All the awards will carry a citation and a medal.

Eligibility criteria:

• Scientists will be selected across 13 domains by a committee headed by principal scientific advisor to the government.

• Scientists/technologists/innovators working in government, private sector organisations or any individual working outside any organisation, who have made distinguished contributions in terms of pathbreaking research or innovation or discovery in any field of science, technology or technology-led innovation shall be eligible.

• People of Indian Origin staying abroad with exceptional contributions benefiting the Indian communities or society shall also be eligible for the awards. 

The awards will be given in 13 domains. They are: 

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Biological Sciences

• Mathematics & Computer Science

• Earth Science

• Medicine

• Engineering Sciences

• Agricultural Science

• Environmental Science

• Technology & Innovation

• Atomic Energy

• Space Science and Technology

• Others. 

Selection process

• The nominations will be invited from January 14 to February 28 (National Science Day) every year. 

• All nominations received for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar awards shall be placed before the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC) headed by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the government of India. 

• The committee will include secretaries of science departments, members of science and engineering academies and some distinguished scientists and technologists from different fields of science and technology.

• The awards will be announced on May 11 (National Technology Day) and conferred on August 23 (National Space Day).

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