Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is a new set of awards introduced by the Government of India to recognize notable and inspiring contributions in science, technology, and innovation.
The awards aim to promote scientific innovation and communication, covering various categories, including grassroots innovations.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar replaces the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards and consists of four categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team awards.
The awards are presented annually on National Science Day, February 28, to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and increase public awareness of scientific achievements in India.

Awards Structure

Vigyan Ratna: A maximum of three awards will be given to recognize lifetime achievements and contributions in science and technology.
Vigyan Shri: A maximum of 25 awards will be given to recognize distinguished contributions in various scientific fields.
Vigyan Yuva: A maximum of 25 awards will be given to recognize and encourage exceptional contributions by young scientists.
Vigyan Team Award: A maximum of three awards will be given to teams of three or more innovators who have made significant contributions together.

Vigyan Ratna: G. Padmanabhan, a noted biochemist and former director of the Indian Institute of Science, has been awarded for his lifetime achievements.
Vigyan Shri: Thirteen scientists from various fields, including physics, chemistry, and earth sciences, have been recognized for their distinguished contributions.
Vigyan Yuva: Eighteen young scientists have been awarded for their outstanding contributions to science and technology.
Vigyan Team Award: The team from ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has been recognized for their collaborative research work.

Scientists in India face significant challenges, including limited funding and resources, substandard equipment and infrastructure, and a discouraging research environment.
Additionally, Indian scientists rarely receive international recognition, and there is an overemphasis on awards rather than addressing the root issues.
Furthermore, there is a significant gap between elite research institutions and other research bodies.