Major Science and Research Awards in India

India uses a mix of national awards, foundation-led prizes, and institutional fellowships to recognize scientific research, technological innovation, and academic excellence. These honours are designed to reward high-quality work, encourage young researchers, and strengthen India’s research ecosystem.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is India’s premier national honour in science, technology, and innovation. Introduced in 2024, it consolidated more than 300 individual awards earlier administered by different scientific ministries and departments.

• Administering body: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) coordinates the award process.
• Main categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and Vigyan Team.
• Vigyan Ratna: Recognizes lifetime achievement in science, technology, and innovation.
• Vigyan Shri: Given for distinguished contributions in a field of science or technology.
• Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar: Meant for exceptional young scientists under 45 years of age.
• Vigyan Team: Awarded for collaborative research involving three or more scientists.
• Scientific domains: The award covers 14 areas, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, Defence Technology, and Others.
• Prize: Recipients receive a medallion and a certificate signed by the President of India. There is no cash component.

RVP Selection and Legacy Awards

The selection process for the RVP follows a structured evaluation mechanism, combining expert scrutiny with administrative approval.

• Evaluation panel: Nominations are examined by a 17-member panel chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser, currently Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.
• Final approval: The Union Minister of Science and Technology, currently Dr. Jitendra Singh, gives the final approval.
• Scientific discussion: The role of ministerial approval has attracted attention from sections of the scientific community.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize: First awarded in 1958, it was restructured in 2024 into the Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar category under the RVP.
• Change in benefits: The earlier cash reward and monthly fellowship attached to the legacy prize were discontinued for new awardees.
• Notable recipients: In 2024, Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan received the inaugural Vigyan Ratna, while ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 lander team won the Team award.
• Recent awardees: In 2025, the Vigyan Ratna was awarded posthumously to physicist Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, and the CSIR Aroma Mission Team won the Team award.

Infosys Prize

The Infosys Prize, awarded annually by the Infosys Science Foundation, is among India’s highest monetary awards for research. It honours researchers of Indian origin across major academic disciplines.

• Cash award: The prize carries a tax-free purse of USD 100,000, along with a gold medal and citation certificate.
• Categories: Economics, Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
• Eligibility focus: Since 2024, the award has focused exclusively on early-career researchers under 40.
• Research linkage: Winners residing abroad are required to spend at least 30 days at an Indian host institution to strengthen local research networks.
• Recent recipients: The 2025 Infosys Prize winners, honoured at a ceremony on January 10, 2026, included Anjana Badrinarayanan, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Karthish Manthiram, Nikhil Agarwal, Sushant Sachdeva, and Andrew Ollett.

G. D. Birla Award and Other Institutional Fellowships

Several institutional awards and fellowships support scientists at different stages of their careers and recognize specific categories of research excellence.

• G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research: Established in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation, it recognizes outstanding research by Indian scientists under 50 working in India.
• Cash prize: The award carries ₹5 lakh.
• Selection board: It is chaired by the sitting President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), currently Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, who assumed office on January 1, 2026.
• 2025 award: The 35th G. D. Birla Award was presented to Prof. Bushra Ateeq of IIT Kanpur in January 2026 for work in biological sciences and cancer treatment.
• CSIR Young Scientist Awards: These are meant for CSIR institutional researchers under 35 across five disciplines.
• CSIR Young Scientist support: The award includes a citation, ₹50,000 cash prize, and a ₹25 lakh research grant spread over five years.
• Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme: Run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), it supports young scientists aged 30-40.
• Swarnajayanti support: Fellows receive a monthly stipend of ₹25,000 for five years and are eligible for SERB project research funding.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• RVP: India’s top national science honour, introduced in 2024, with no cash prize.
• RVP categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and Vigyan Team.
• RVP coverage: The award spans 14 scientific domains and is coordinated by CSIR.
• Selection: The RVP panel is chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser, currently Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.
• Infosys Prize: Carries USD 100,000 and now targets early-career researchers under 40.
• G. D. Birla Award: Given to Indian scientists under 50 working in India; the cash prize is ₹5 lakh.
• Age-based fellowships: CSIR Young Scientist Awards are for those under 35, while Swarnajayanti Fellowships are for scientists aged 30-40.