Context:
• The Government of India announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) winners for 2025, celebrating India’s top scientific minds.
• The announcement comes amid discussions on transparency in the selection process, as the awards are modeled after the Padma Awards system for science and technology.
Key Highlights:
- Award Composition:
- Total: 25 awards – 24 individual + 1 team award.
- Vigyan Ratna: Posthumously conferred on Jayant Vishnu Narlikar for his lifetime contributions to physics.
- Vigyan Shri: 8 recipients honoured for distinguished contributions across scientific fields.
- Vigyan Yuva: 14 young scientists (under 45 years) recognized for pioneering research and innovation.
- Vigyan Team Award: Conferred on CSIR Aroma Mission, reflecting the value of collaborative research.
- Institutional Mechanism:
- The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee, chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government, finalizes recommendations.
- Selections are approved by the Minister of Science and Technology.
- Background & Ceremony:
- The inaugural ceremony was held on National Space Day (2024) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where 33 scientists were felicitated.
- The award is part of India’s effort to institutionalize national recognition for S&T excellence on the lines of Padma Awards.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP): Instituted by the Ministry of Science & Technology to honour exemplary contributions in science, technology, and innovation.
• Award Categories:
- Vigyan Ratna – Lifetime achievement.
- Vigyan Shri – Distinguished contribution.
- Vigyan Yuva – Young scientists (<45 years).
- Vigyan Team – Collective scientific effort.
• Organising Agencies: Department of Science & Technology (DST), DBT, CSIR, and Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser.
• Selection Body: Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC) headed by PSA; recommendations made to Minister (S&T).
• CSIR Aroma Mission: A major initiative promoting aromatic crops, farm income diversification, and value addition through rural biotech innovation.
Relevant Mains Points:
• Significance of RVP:
- Recognizes scientific excellence across all disciplines, encouraging cross-sector innovation.
- Promotes youth participation in R&D and strengthens India’s science diplomacy image globally.
- Enhances visibility for applied science missions such as CSIR Aroma, contributing to rural and industrial development.
- Challenges & Criticisms:
- Concerns raised about transparency and objectivity in selection.
- Need for clear evaluation criteria and public nomination processes to maintain credibility.
- Way Forward:
- Institutionalize annual disclosure of selection criteria and panel composition.
- Establish an independent oversight mechanism for scientific awards.
- Link recognition with mentorship and innovation ecosystems under the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.