Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)
Overview
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) are national-level awards instituted by the Government of India to recognize exceptional contributions in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI).
They are often referred to as “Padma-style awards for scientific achievement.”
Award Categories
Award | Purpose | Key Feature |
Vigyan Ratna | Lifetime achievement in any field of Science & Technology | Highest of all RVP awards. Up to 3 awards are given each year. |
Vigyan Shri | Distinguished contributions in any field of Science & Technology | Mid-level recognition Up to 25 awards are given each year. |
Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (commonly called Vigyan Yuva) | For scientists under 45 years, recognising exceptional contributions | Encourages young talent Up to 25 awards are given each year. |
Vigyan Team Award | For teams (≥3 members) for notable collective contributions | Recognises collaborative science Up to 3 awards for teams of three or more. |
Total Awards | 24 individual + 1 team (2025 cycle) | Announced annually |
2024 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
Vigyan Ratna: Awarded to G. Padmanabhan, who is recognized for his lifetime achievements in biological sciences, particularly for his work on malaria parasites. He is a former director of the Indian Institute of Science and has previously received the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Vigyan Team: Chandrayaan-3 Team was awarded with Vigyan Team for their successful mission landing India's first spacecraft on the Moon in 2023, a landmark in India's space exploration history.
Vigyan Shri: Annapurni Subramaniam (formation and evolution of star clusters and galaxies), Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar (biology), Naba Kumar Mondal (particle physics).
Vigyan Yuva: Vivek Polshettiwar (carbon capture technologies), Urbasi Sinha (quantum research), Roxy Mathew Koll (climate science).
2025 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
Vigyan Ratna: Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (posthumously) – eminent physicist known for contributions to cosmology.
Vigyan Shri: 8 scientists including Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Yusuf M. Shaikh, K. Thangaraj, Pradeep Thapalil, Aniruddha B. Pandit, Venkata Mohan, Mahan Mj, and Jayan N.
Vigyan Yuva: 14 scientists under 45 years (e.g., Jagadis G. Kapuganti, Deepa Agashe, Surhud Shrikant More, etc.)
Vigyan Team Award: CSIR Aroma Mission (for work in fragrance and flavour sciences).
First Announced | January 2024 |
First Awards Given | August 22, 2024 (a day before National Space Day ,Aug 23) |
Institutional Details
Selection Panel: Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee
Chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Makes recommendations to the Minister of Science & Technology.
Presentation Ceremony: Held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, by the President of India.
First Ceremony: August 2024, ahead of National Space Day (August 23).
Award Frequency: Annual.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is open to all scientists, technologists, and innovators working in any field of science, technology, or innovation. This includes professionals in government or private sector organizations, as well as individuals working independently. Additionally, scientists of Indian origin residing abroad who have made significant contributions that benefit Indian communities or society are also eligible.
Selection Process
Nominations:
Can be made by individuals, institutions, State Governments, Ministries, or heads of national science bodies.
Screening Panel (17-member Committee):
Chairperson: Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
Members include:
Secretaries of six major science departments:
DST, DBT, CSIR, MoES, DoS, DAE
Four Presidents of major science and engineering academies.
Six eminent scientists and technologists representing diverse disciplines.
Final Selection:
Committee recommends names to the Minister of Science and Technology, who makes the final decision.
This has been controversial since 2024, as it allows ministerial veto over scientific recommendations.
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. Assertion (A): The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar includes the Vigyan Yuva Award to recognise young scientists.
Reason (R): It aims to encourage innovation and excellence among scientists under the age of 45 years.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
✅ Answer: (a)
Q.
List I (Award Category) | List II (Purpose) |
A. Vigyan Ratna | 1. Distinguished contribution in any field of science |
B. Vigyan Shri | 2. Lifetime achievement and contribution |
C. Vigyan Yuva | 3. Team-based contribution (3 or more members) |
D. Vigyan Team Award | 4. Exceptional contribution by scientists under 45 years |
Select the correct code:
(a) A–2, B–1, C–4, D–3
(b) A–1, B–2, C–4, D–3
(c) A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3
(d) A–3, B–1, C–2, D–4
✅ Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP):
The awards are given annually by the Ministry of Education.
The Vigyan Ratna is awarded for lifetime achievements in Science and Technology.
The selection is made by a committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The awards are under the Ministry of Science and Technology, not Education.
The Vigyan Ratna is indeed for lifetime achievement.
The Principal Scientific Adviser heads the selection committee.