Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026
Home >> OnGoing Nominations >> Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026
28/03/2026
Nomination Start Date
11/05/2026
Nomination End Date
Announcement Date
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026
Eligibility
Decoration
No. of Awardees
Who can nominate ?
Selection Process
Ceremony Details
Notifications
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026
Introduction:
Science and Technology are essential tools for the development of society. Scientists play a very important role in selflessly driving the systematic quest for truth and the development of new knowledge. They are the backbone of the nation, contributing tirelessly to the development of society. The exemplary and outstanding contributions of scientists need to be recognised so that they can serve as an inspiration to others.
Objective
The objective of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is to recognise the notable and inspiring contributions made by scientists, technologists, and innovators individually or in teams, across various fields of science, technology, and technologyled innovation.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar shall be one of the highest recognitions in the fields of science, technology, and innovation in India. Scientists / technologists / innovators working in government, private sector organizations, or individuals working outside any organisation, who have made distinguished contributions in terms of pathbreaking research or innovation or discovery in any fields of science, technology, or technologyled innovation, shall be eligible for the awards. People of Indian origin residing abroad who have made exceptional contributions benefiting the Indian community or society shall also be eligible for the awards.
The awards shall be given in the following four categories:
a. Vigyan Ratna (VR) award to be awarded to recognize lifetime achievements & contributions made in any field of science and technology.
b. Vigyan Shri (VS) award to be awarded to recognize distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
c. Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award to be awarded to recognize & encourage young scientists who have made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology.
d. Vigyan Team (VT) award to be awarded to a team comprising three or more scientists / researchers / innovators who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in any field of science and technology.
The RVP awards for People of Indian Origin should have a maximum limit in each category (VR 1; VS 3; VY-SSB 3; VT 0) to encourage India-based scientists, technologists, innovators, and teams.
Eligibility
a. All scientists, technologists, and innovators working in any field of science in government or private organizations who have contributed or done path-breaking research, technology-led innovation, or discovery in any field of science or development of innovative technologies/ products having significant societal impact shall be eligible for the award.
b. Scientists, technologists, and innovators of Indian origin abroad with exceptional contributions benefitting the Indian communities or society at large shall also be eligible.
Domain Fields for Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar shall be awarded in the following 14 domains, namely Agricultural Science, Atomic Energy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Defence Technology, Earth Science, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Science, Mathematics & Computer Science, Medicine, Physics, Space Science and Technology, Technology & Innovation, and Others. It may be ensured that each domain/field is represented. Adequate representation of Women may also be ensured.
Nominations
The nominations shall be received online on the centralized Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in). The nomination shall be open to all, including selfnomination.
Posthumous cases
As a rule, the award shall not be conferred posthumously. However, if the person proposed for an honour has passed away recently (e.g., within a year), the Government may consider awarding the honour posthumously. However, this will be done rarely and only in highly deserving cases.
Awards are not ‘titles’
In terms of the directions of the Supreme Court of India, “the National Awards do not amount to 'titles' within the meaning of Article 18(1) of the Constitution”, and they should not be used as a suffix or prefix to the name of the recipient in any manner whatsoever. In case of any misuse, the defaulter will forfeit the award.
However, should an awardee consider it necessary, he / she may use the following expression in their biodata / letterhead / visiting card, etc. to indicate that he/she is a recipient of the award: Name of awardee
(i) (name of award) awardee
or
(ii) “Awarded (name of the award) by the President.
Decoration
a. In the Award Ceremony, the Awardees shall be presented with a Sanad (certificate) & a medallion. A commemorative brochure containing the citation and photographs of the awardees shall also be released on the day of the ceremony.
b. In case of posthumous award, the decoration of the award shall be received by the 'next of kin' of such awardee.
c. The decoration to such persons who are not able to attend the award ceremony due to personal reasons (including indisposition, preoccupation, etc.), the award shall be deemed to have been conferred on such a person. No other person (including the spouse / next of kin) should be allowed to receive the award on behalf of the absentee awards except in posthumous cases.
No. of Awardees
| Name of Award | Eligibility Condition | Age Limit | Max. No. of Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vigyan Ratna (VR) | Lifetime contributions along with excellence made in any field of science. | No age limit | 03 |
| Vigyan Shri (VS) | Distinguished contribution in any field of science | No age limit | 25 |
| Vigyan Yuva - Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) | Exceptional contribution by young scientists | Up to 45 yrs* | 25 |
| Vigyan Team (VT) | A team comprising of three or more researchers / technocrats/ innovators who have made an exceptional contribution as a team. | No age limit | 03 |
* As on 31-Dec-2025
Who can nominate ?
a. Any individual / institution may nominate scientists / a Team of scientists from the Government or the Private Sector
b. Scientists can also nominate themselves (Self-Nominations)
c. Recommendations shall also be invited from State Governments / UT Administrations; Ministries / Departments of the Central Government; Heads of National Science Academies / Laboratories / Institutions / Professional Science and Engineering Societies; Vice Chancellors / Registrars of the Academic Institutions; Heads of Scientific Organizations / S & T-based Voluntary Organizations, etc.
Selection Process
a. All nominations received for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar awards shall be placed before the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC) to be constituted by the Hon'ble Minister for Science & Technology every year. The Chairman of the Committee shall be the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India. The members of the RVPC will not be eligible for the Awards during their tenure. The RVPC shall have the following as members:
(i) Secretaries of the Ministries/ Departments – Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Defence Research and Development, Department of Agricultural Research & Education, Ministry of Mines, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, and Department of Health Research, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Department of Higher Education.
(ii) Up to two select Presidents of the Science and Engineering Academies
(iii) Three distinguished scientists and technologists from different fields of Science and Technology.
b. The committee shall be constituted every year.
c. The secretariat assistance for the entire process, starting from nomination for the award till the holding of the Award Ceremony, shall be with CSIR to begin with, for the first five years, and then with ANRF, so as to maintain continuity and neutrality.
e. The secretariat assistance shall include setting up an Award Cell to manage the entire process, to be headed by a senior-level scientist, who shall also act as the Member Secretary of the RVPC.
f. No award shall be conferred except on the recommendation of the RVPC.
g. As these awards are very prestigious, the RVPC is expected to apply the highest standards while recommending a person for the award. The credibility of the awards depends on the careful selection of deserving scientists, technologists, or innovators. The RVPC must look into the exceptional and distinguished achievements of an individual or team, along with their benefits, as applicable, to society. The Rashtriya Vigyan Ratna award should be given for excellence and exceptional contributions, and not merely routine lifetime contributions.
h. The names of the persons recommended by the RVPC shall be submitted to the Hon'ble Minister for Science & Technology for approval.
Ceremony Details
a. Hon’ble President of India may be requested to confer the Awards in the Award Ceremony. In case the Hon'ble President is not available, the Hon’ble Vice President of India may be invited to confer the Awards.
b. The Award Ceremony may be organised every year in Rashtrapati Bhavan or at an alternative suitable venue.