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Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Categories, Eligibility & More | UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Feb 06, 2025
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The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is the highest award of the land for outstanding contribution to the field of science and technology. Instituted to recognize the great works of scientists, researchers, and innovators, the award recognizes exemplary work that furthers scientific understanding and technological innovation. Celebrating these achievements, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar not only signifies individual excellence but encourages the culture of scientific inquiry and innovation across the country.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is relevant to the UPSC syllabus, notably under General Studies Paper III. Under General Studies Paper III, it relates to technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security, and disaster management, the scientific and technological innovations awarded herein play a pivotal role.

GS Paper

General Studies Paper III

Topics for UPSC Prelims

Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. Initiatives Promoting Science.

Topics for UPSC Mains

Contribution to Science and Technology in India

About the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

The Government of India instituted the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar in order to inculcate the spirit of excellence in science and innovation. The award was meant to recognize exemplary contributions of individuals and institutions in the field of science and technology in India, motivating scientific effort that advances national development.

Background of the Award

The Award was instituted in the first decade of the 21st century, part of a larger initiative taken to spur interest in science and technology in this country. The government realized that talent and innovation in pure science are essential for the growth of the country. Instituting a national award for excellence in science was one of the avenues directed to recognize the effort put in by multitudes who had put a lifetime dedication in the various scientific fields, hence motivating more young generations towards doing a lot of research and inventions in science.

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Categories of the Awards

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar encompasses various categories to honor achievements in diverse areas in science and technology. A number of diverse categories are delineated with the view to assure wide-ranging perspectives on scientific disciplines and contributions such as those in the area of:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: The aim in this category will be to honor scientists who, in their lifetime, have contributed to their respective fields by leaving behind a legacy of excellence in science.
  • Outstanding Scientist Award: It is given to those scientists who have done exceptionally well in advancements per se or any kind of discovery in their fields.
  • Young Scientist Award: This category is essentially designed to encourage young talent. It looks for outstanding work done by scientists below the age of 40.
  • Institutional Excellence Award: This is an award that an institution receives for demonstrating outstanding leadership in the advancement of science and technology through research, education, and innovation.

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Eligibility

The selection criteria in the case of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar are meticulously designed to ensure that the awards would go to the truly deserving candidates. In this connection, the following may be highlighted:

For Individual Awards

  • Indian nationals who have contributed significantly to science and technology.
  • The nominees must have undertaken research or innovation work with plausible national and international impact.
  • Special emphasis will be placed on original research and path-breaking innovation.

For Institutional Awards

  • Institutes should have a proven track record of excellence in scientific research and education.
  • Considerable contributions made to promote scientific knowledge and technological advancement.
  • Leading institutions in the related scientific communities.

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Significance of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar holds high importance for the promotion of scientific excellence within India. Some of the importance of this puraskar or scheme include:

  • Encouragement towards Innovation: Recognition and reward of innovation encourages scientists to undertake ambitious, bold projects without apprehension, which may bring about crucial technological changes.
  • Promotion of Research: The awarding of research emphasizes its importance and inspires young scientists to take on scientific research careers.
  • National Prestige: Outstanding scientific contributions help improve India's prestige globally by highlighting the nation's strides in science and technology.
  • Inspiring Future Generations: The careers of young students and upcoming scientists are being inspired by the achievement of India's leading scientists in the award of the young category.

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Key Awardees of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024

The key awardees of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 include the following:

  • Vigyan Ratna: G. Padmanabhan was honored with the Vigyan Ratna for pioneering research in malaria parasites besides general contributions to biological sciences. The retired director of the Indian Institute of Science also won Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his work.
  • Vigyan Team: The Team of Chandrayaan-3 was awarded the Vigyan Team award for the mission's success in marking the first ever landing of an Indian spacecraft on the moon in the year 2023, a milestone indeed in the space exploration history of the nation.
  • Vigyan Shri: This was awarded to three senior scientists, namely; Annapurni Subramaniam, for research in the field of star cluster and galaxy formation and evolution; Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar, for physics in biology; and Naba Kumar Mondal for his contributions to particle physics.
  • Vigyan Yuva: The three young scientists who have been honored with Vigyan Yuva are Vivek Polshettiwar for his significant contribution towards carbon capture technologies, Urbasi Sinha for her quantum research, and Roxy Mathew Koll for his contribution towards climate science.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Definition: This is a prestigious national award instituted to honor exceptionally meritorious contributions in the field of science and technology in India. It is instituted by the Government of India to celebrate and encourage excellence in scientific research and technological development in various disciplines.
  • Categories: Award spanning across the following categories but not limited to physical sciences, biological sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, and medical and environmental sciences.
  • Criteria: Originality of work done, Effective contribution to the advancement in Science and Technology, Published Research Work, Patents, and the Implication of Work.
  • Purpose: Quality research, innovation, and encourage/recognize scientists and researchers.
  • Benefits: There is an award in cash, a medal, and a citation. These usually lead to an increase in professional status and further openings for the work being done.
  • Significance: Recognition of scientific and technological accomplishments, which are assured of importance in national development inspires young scientists to achieve excellence in their respective fields.
  • Impact: It underlines scientific excellence, raises India's profile in the scientific community at the global level, and inspires forthcoming generations to be part of science and technology.

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Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar UPSC FAQs

The major categorizations are Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Scientist Award, Young Scientist Award, and Institutional Excellence Award.

One of the important awardees was G. Padmanabhan, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the area of biological sciences.

The award encourages creativity, lays the foundation for further research, brings glory to the country, and becomes an inspiration for coming generations in the area of science and technology.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is the highest award in India given for making important contributions in the fields of science and technology.

A nomination can be made for outstanding contribution to science and technology by Indian citizens and institutions.

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