NEW DELHI: Government on Sunday called for nominations/ applications for newly instituted national science award – Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) – for individuals or teams in various fields of science, technology and tech-led innovation.
Unlike previous nearly 300 odd science awards (now scrapped) given by multiple institutions, the nominations for the RVP can be submitted on unified award portal of the home ministry in four categories by February 28 (National Science Day).Like Padma awards, these science awards too will not have cash component. The awards will be announced on May 11 (National Technology Day).
The award giving ceremony for all categories will be held on August 23 (National Science Day), possibly by the President of India in a move to give the RVP the stature of Padma awards or other national awards.
“The RVP shall be one of the highest recognition in the field of science, technology and innovation in India. Scientists/ technologists / innovators working in government, private sector organizations or individuals working outside any organisation, who have made distinguished contributions in terms of path-breaking research or innovation or discovery in any fields of science, technology or technology- led innovation shall be eligible for the awards,” said the government’s notification calling for nominations/ applications.
It said, “People of Indian origin staying abroad with exceptional contributions benefiting the Indian communities or society shall also be eligible for the awards.”
A total of 56 awards will be given in four categories covering 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 (those not covered under the specified domains).
The awards this year are being coordinated by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the ministry of science and technology. The awards will be decided by a high-level committee headed by the principal scientific adviser (PSA) to the central government 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 after scrutinising all the received nominations.
The notification said that the awardees shall be presented a “Sanad (certificate) signed by the President of India & a medallion”. A commemorative brochure, containing the citation and photograph of the awardees shall also be released on the day of the ceremony, it added.
Government had in September last year scrapped nearly 300 awards, given by various science departments, to bring uniformity through a rationalisation exercise.
Earlier, only seven domains were considered for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards, given by the CSIR since 1958. The domains have now expanded to include agricultural science, environmental science, technology & innovation, atomic energy, space science and computer science
FOUR CATEGORIES OF NATIONAL SCIENCE AWARDS
Vigyan Ratna: Max. three awards for lifetime achievements & contributions
Vigyan Shri: Max. 25 awards for distinguished contributions
Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar: Max. 25 awards to recognise & encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years** who made an exceptional contribution
Vigyan Team: Max. three awards to be given to a team comprising three or more scientists/ researchers/ innovators who have made an exceptional contribution
(** As a one time exemption, age limit under Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar has been relaxed by one year for nomination received during the year 2024 i.e. upto 46 years with cut-off date as May 11, 2024)
Unlike previous nearly 300 odd science awards (now scrapped) given by multiple institutions, the nominations for the RVP can be submitted on unified award portal of the home ministry in four categories by February 28 (National Science Day).Like Padma awards, these science awards too will not have cash component. The awards will be announced on May 11 (National Technology Day).
The award giving ceremony for all categories will be held on August 23 (National Science Day), possibly by the President of India in a move to give the RVP the stature of Padma awards or other national awards.
“The RVP shall be one of the highest recognition in the field of science, technology and innovation in India. Scientists/ technologists / innovators working in government, private sector organizations or individuals working outside any organisation, who have made distinguished contributions in terms of path-breaking research or innovation or discovery in any fields of science, technology or technology- led innovation shall be eligible for the awards,” said the government’s notification calling for nominations/ applications.
It said, “People of Indian origin staying abroad with exceptional contributions benefiting the Indian communities or society shall also be eligible for the awards.”
A total of 56 awards will be given in four categories covering 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 (those not covered under the specified domains).
The awards this year are being coordinated by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the ministry of science and technology. The awards will be decided by a high-level committee headed by the principal scientific adviser (PSA) to the central government 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 after scrutinising all the received nominations.
The notification said that the awardees shall be presented a “Sanad (certificate) signed by the President of India & a medallion”. A commemorative brochure, containing the citation and photograph of the awardees shall also be released on the day of the ceremony, it added.
Government had in September last year scrapped nearly 300 awards, given by various science departments, to bring uniformity through a rationalisation exercise.
Earlier, only seven domains were considered for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards, given by the CSIR since 1958. The domains have now expanded to include agricultural science, environmental science, technology & innovation, atomic energy, space science and computer science
FOUR CATEGORIES OF NATIONAL SCIENCE AWARDS
Vigyan Ratna: Max. three awards for lifetime achievements & contributions
Vigyan Shri: Max. 25 awards for distinguished contributions
Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar: Max. 25 awards to recognise & encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years** who made an exceptional contribution
Vigyan Team: Max. three awards to be given to a team comprising three or more scientists/ researchers/ innovators who have made an exceptional contribution
(** As a one time exemption, age limit under Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar has been relaxed by one year for nomination received during the year 2024 i.e. upto 46 years with cut-off date as May 11, 2024)
