Centre announces Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar for scientific achievements
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Centre announces Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) for scientific achievements
(Source: The Hindu, October 25, 2025)Physicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (1938–2025), renowned astrophysicist and founder-director of IUCAA, will be conferred the Vigyan Ratna posthumously for lifetime contribution to Indian science.
ABOUT RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR (RVP)
- Launched: 2023
- First Awards Presented: August 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President of India
- Objective: To recognise and honour scientists, technologists, and innovators for their outstanding contributions to science and technology in India
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
- Administered by: Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee headed by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India
- Nature of Award: National-level, Padma-style civilian awards for science
CATEGORIES OF THE AWARD
| Category | Purpose | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Vigyan Ratna | Lifetime achievement and contribution in any field of Science & Technology | No age bar |
| Vigyan Shri | Distinguished contributions in any field of Science & Technology | Open |
| Vigyan Yuva | Young scientists with exceptional contribution | Below 45 years |
| Vigyan Team | Team research or innovation showing collective excellence | Minimum 3 members |
RVP 2025 AWARDEES
Vigyan Ratna (Lifetime Achievement)
- Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar – Eminent astrophysicist; known for contributions to cosmology and the theory of conformal gravity; founder of IUCAA, Pune.
Vigyan Shri (Distinguished Contribution)
Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Yusuf Mohammed Shaikh, K. Thangaraj, Pradeep Thapalil, Aniruddha Balchandra Pandit, Venkata Mohan, Mahan Mj, Jayan N.
Vigyan Yuva (Young Scientists, below 45 years)
Jagadis Gupta Kapuganti, Satendra Kumar Mangrauthia, Debarka Sengupta, Deepa Agashe, Dibyendu Das, Waliur Rahman, Arkaprava Basu, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Shweta Prem Agrawal, Suresh Kumar, Amit Kumar Agrawal, Surhud Shrikant More, Ankur Garg, Mohansankar Sivaprakasam.
Vigyan Team Award (Collective Contribution)
- CSIR Aroma Mission Team – For excellence in aromatic plant research, value-addition, and rural livelihood generation.
SELECTION PROCESS
- Nominations are received from scientific institutions, ministries, and autonomous bodies.
- Evaluated by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser.
- Committee recommendations are submitted to the Minister of Science & Technology.
STATIC BACKGROUND
- Purpose: To create India’s highest recognition dedicated exclusively to the scientific community.
- Replaces: Earlier fragmented awards given by DST, DBT, CSIR, etc.
- Frequency: Annual
- Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Comparable to: Padma Awards (Civilian) and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (Research)
ABOUT JAYANT VISHNU NARLIKAR (1938–2025)
- Co-developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravitation with Sir Fred Hoyle.
- Founded Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune.
- Former Director, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
- Recipient of Padma Vibhushan (2004).
Updated - October 25, 2025 10:18 pm | The Hindu
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Vigyan Ratna Vigyan Shri Vigyan Yuva Vigyan Team Award Ministry of Science and Technology Principal Scientific Adviser Jayant Vishnu Narlikar IUCAA CSIR Aroma Mission National Science Awards Science and Technology Policy Indian Scientists Government of India Awards Scientific Recognition 2025 Science News.