New Delhi: The Department of Science and Technology has proposed the constitution of a new Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar — which will be the highest recognition in the field of science, technology, and innovation in India — for 13 domains, ThePrint has learnt.
Scientists and innovators working in government as well as private sector organisations, or even those working in their individual capacity, who have made distinguished contributions in science and technology-led innovations will be eligible for these awards which will be given in four categories — Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award and Vigyan Team.
The 13 September proposal, which ThePrint has accessed, does not mention any cash reward or stipend accompanying any of these awards. It has been drafted in consultation with other departments of the Ministry of Science and Technology and sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. A senior official from the Department of Science and Technology told ThePrint that the final approval is awaited.
The proposal comes exactly a year after the Modi government silently scrapped over 300 science awards. In a meeting chaired by Home Secretary A.K. Bhalla on 16 September last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs had also proposed instituting a “Nobel Prize-like” science award called ‘Vigyan Ratna’ for scientists of all disciplines, and awarded in consultation with the principal scientific advisor.
Also read: ‘Einstein was a fraud, West stole calculus from India’ – mathematician’s claims slammed by peers
Breaking down Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
Unlike the existing Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards — so far the highest scientific award in the country — the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar will also allow candidates to nominate themselves.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar will be given in the following 13 domains: physics, chemistry, biological sciences, mathematics & computer science, earth science, medicine, engineering sciences, agricultural science, environmental science, technology & innovation, atomic energy, space science and technology.
While the proposal says that adequate representation of women may be ensured, it does not specify any additional measures to do so. Nominations for the awards will start from 14 January till 28 February every year. There will be three Vigyan Ratnas, 25 Vigyan Shri, 25 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and three Vigyan Team awards every year.
A Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC), constituted by the science minister, and chaired by the principal scientific advisor to the government, will recommend names for the award from the nominations placed before it.
The RVPC will comprise secretaries of the six departments and related ministries — the department of science and technology, the department of biotechnology, the department of scientific and industrial research, the ministry of earth sciences, the department of space and the department of atomic energy.
The committee will also have six scientists and technologists from different fields of science and technology, along with four presidents of science and engineering academies.
The final approval for the awards will be given by the science minister. The process of the awards will be reviewed every five years for course correction and improvement.
Each year, the awards will be announced on the National Technology Day (11 May), while the ceremony will take place on National Space Day on 23 August.
(Edited by Smriti Sinha)
Also read: How Ian Wilmut’s work on Dolly the sheep shaped cloning & stem cell research