In a significant move to celebrate scientific excellence, the Indian government has unveiled the recipients of the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) for 2025, honouring 101 distinguished scientists and researchers across various domains.
Prestigious Recognition for Scientific Community
The newly established national science awards replace previous science, technology, and innovation awards, creating a unified system of recognition. The awards ceremony is scheduled for a special date – National Space Day on August 23, 2025 – commemorating the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon.
Four-Tier Award Structure
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar features four distinct categories:
- Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognizing lifetime achievement and contributions to science and technology
- Vigyan Shri (VS): Honouring distinguished contributions in science and technology
- Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Encouraging young scientists below 45 years
- Vigyan Team (VT): Acknowledging team contributions in scientific research
Notable Awardees and Institutional Excellence
Among the distinguished recipients, astrophysicist Jayant V Narlikar has been honoured with the Vigyan Ratna, the highest recognition. The award distribution showcases institutional excellence with prominent representation from:
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) including IIT Madras
- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) establishments
Comprehensive Selection Process
The selection committee, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, employed a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. The committee received 1,254 nominations from 34 Union Ministries/Departments, with winners selected through careful scrutiny and consensus-building.
Diverse Field Representation
The awards span thirteen key domains of science and technology, including Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, and more. This comprehensive coverage ensures recognition across the entire scientific spectrum.
Gender Inclusivity and Future Impact
Notably, the awards demonstrate significant gender inclusivity with several women scientists receiving recognition across categories. The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar aims to inspire the next generation of researchers and strengthen India's position as a global scientific powerhouse.
The introduction of these awards marks a new chapter in India's scientific recognition system, providing much-deserved acknowledgement to researchers driving innovation and technological advancement in the country.
