Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 Honours India’s Top Scientists

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday conferred the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 on distinguished scientists at a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The national science awards recognise outstanding and inspiring contributions across science, technology and innovation, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on research-led development.

National Science Awards Across Four Categories

In the second edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, a total of 24 awards were presented under four categories — Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva and Vigyan Team. Modelled on the Padma awards, the honours acknowledge excellence across 13 scientific domains, including physics, chemistry, biological sciences, medicine, engineering, agriculture, atomic energy and space science.

Vigyan Ratna Awarded Posthumously

The highest honour, Vigyan Ratna, was conferred posthumously on eminent physicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar for his lifetime achievements and pioneering contributions to science and technology. Widely respected for his work in cosmology and science communication, Narlikar’s recognition underscores the award’s focus on enduring scientific impact.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is India’s highest civilian recognition in science and technology.
• The awards are presented annually in four categories: Vigyan Ratna, Shri, Yuva and Team.
• The honours cover 13 domains, including atomic energy and space science.
• The awards are modelled on the Padma awards framework.

Diverse Excellence Across Fields and Age Groups

Eight scientists received the Vigyan Shri for notable contributions in areas such as agricultural science, atomic energy, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics and space technology. Fourteen young scientists were honoured with the Vigyan Yuva award, recognising promising early- to mid-career researchers across disciplines including physics, medicine, earth science and technology innovation. The Vigyan Team award was presented to the CSIR-led Aroma Mission team for its collective contribution to agricultural science and rural livelihoods.