In News:

• The Government of India has announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025, the nation’s premier recognition for exceptional achievements in science, technology, and innovation.
• The awards acknowledge landmark contributions by scientists, technologists, young researchers, and collaborative teams working across diverse domains that drive India’s S&T leadership and national development goals.

About the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

Instituted by the Government of India, the RVP honours outstanding scientific excellence and impactful innovation. The awards are conferred in four categories:

• Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recogniseslifetime achievements in any field of science and technology.
• Vigyan Shri (VS): Honoursdistinguished contributions by individuals in any scientific discipline.
• Vigyan Yuva– Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Celebrates exceptional contributions by young scientists up to 45 years of age.
• Vigyan Team (VT): Awarded to a team of 3 or more researchers for exceptional collaborative work.

The awards span 13 scientific domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, Medicine, Mathematics & Computer Science, Technology & Innovation, and allied interdisciplinary fields.

Selection Process

• Nominations for the 2025 edition were accepted through the government portal (awards.gov.in) between October 4 and November 17, 2024.
• An expert committee comprising the Principal Scientific Advisor, secretaries of leading science departments, heads of national academies, and domain specialists rigorously evaluated the submissions.
• The final decisions were coordinated by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Secretariat.

Significance of the Awards

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar:

• Strengthens India’s scientific ecosystem
• Motivates emerging researchers and innovators
• Recognises pathbreaking discoveries and technological advancements
• Reinforces India’s strategic vision of becoming a global S&T leader
• Encourages collaborative, interdisciplinary research

The award ceremony will be organised separately, with formal notifications issued to the awardees.

What is the News ?

The Indian Government recently introduced a new set of National Awards for achievements in science, technology, and innovation called the "Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar."

Facts About:

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is an award that recognizes outstanding contributions in the fields of science, technology, and innovation in India.

It's one of the highest honors in these fields.

Who can receive the awards?

• Scientists, technologists, and innovators, whether in government or private sectors, who have made significant breakthroughs in their respective fields.
• People of Indian origin living abroad who have made exceptional contributions benefiting Indian communities.

The awards are given in four categories:

• Vigyan Ratna (VR): Lifetime achievements in science and technology.
• Vigyan Shri (VS): Distinguished contributions in science and technology.
• Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Young scientists under 45 years old who've made exceptional contributions.
• Vigyan Team (VT): Teams of three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators who've excelled in their field.

The awards cover 13 domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Environment, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science, and more.