Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 | 08 Aug 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

The Indian government announced the first-ever Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) awardees 2024, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to recognising scientific achievements.

• The awards will be presented on 23^rd August, first National Space Day, celebrating the milestone of Chandrayaan-3’s moon landing.

What are the Key Facts about Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar?

• About: The RVP is a prestigious set of awards that recognize and encourage significant achievements by scientists, technologists, and innovators of Indian origin, including Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), whether working in India or abroad.
  • These awards honour individuals who have made distinguished contributions through impactful research, innovation, or discovery that benefits Indian communities or society.
  • The RVP is being introduced for the first time in 2024. It was established to replace the existing science awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, to provide a more inclusive and updated recognition system.
    • The new awards allow for a more comprehensive acknowledgement of achievements.
  • These awards shall be announced on 11^th May (National Technology Day) every year. The Award Ceremony for all categories of awards will be held on National Space Day.
  • RVP is awarded in various categories such as Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and Engineering Sciences.
• Categories of the Awards:
  • Vigyan Ratna (VR): It honours lifetime achievements and substantial contributions in any field of science and technology. Up to 3 awards are given each year.
    • Eligibility: Distinguished scientists and technologists with a career of significant achievements.
  • Vigyan Shri (VS): It recognizes distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology. Up to 25 awards are given each year.
    • Eligibility: Individuals with notable achievements in their respective scientific or technological domains.
  • Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): It recognizes and encourages young scientists under 45 years of age who have made exceptional contributions. Up to 25 awards are given each year.
    • Eligibility: Young scientists who have demonstrated exceptional research or innovation.
  • Vigyan Team (VT): It awards a team of three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators for exceptional collaborative contributions. Up to 3 awards for teams of three or more.
    • Eligibility: Teams with outstanding achievements in any field of science and technology.
• Benefits of the Award: Each awardee receives a Sanad (Certificate) signed by the President of India.
  • A brochure with the citation and photograph of the awardees is released on the ceremony day. Decorations are given to the next of kin in case of posthumous awards.

Who are the Key Awardees of the 2024 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar?

• Vigyan Ratna: Awarded to G. Padmanabhan, who is recognized for his lifetime achievements in biological sciences, particularly for his work on malaria parasites. He is a former director of the Indian Institute of Science and has previously received the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
• Vigyan Team: Chandrayaan-3 Team was awarded with Vigyan Team for their successful mission landing India's first spacecraft on the Moon in 2023, a landmark in India's space exploration history.
• Vigyan Shri: Annapurni Subramaniam (formation and evolution of star clusters and galaxies), Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar (biology), Naba Kumar Mondal (particle physics).
• Vigyan Yuva: Vivek Polshettiwar (carbon capture technologies), Urbasi Sinha (quantum research), Roxy Mathew Koll (climate science).