**Executive Summary**
The Government of India has opened nominations for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026 to recognize excellence in science, technology, and innovation. Administered by the RVP Secretariat under the Ministry of Science & Technology, the awards aim to honor significant contributions to India’s scientific landscape across 14 domains. The nomination period is open from 28 March 2026 to 11 May 2026 via the Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Award Categories**
* **Vigyan Ratna (VR):** Recognizes lifetime achievements in the fields of science and technology.
* **Vigyan Shri (VS):** Acknowledges distinguished contributions to specific scientific fields.
* **Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB):** Recognizes young scientists up to 45 years of age who demonstrate exceptional promise.
* **Vigyan Team (VT):** Awarded to groups of three or more researchers for collaborative excellence.
**Scope and Eligibility**
* **Diverse Domains:** Nominations are accepted across 14 domains, including Space Science, Agricultural Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, and Physics.
* **Nomination Types:** The process is inclusive, allowing for both institutional nominations and self-nominations.
* **Administration:** The awards are managed by the RVP Secretariat (CSIR) and the Ministry of Science & Technology, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the GOI.
**Nomination Process**
* **Platform:** All nominations must be submitted online through the official Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal (https://awards.gov.in).
* **Timeline:** The application window is strictly set from 28 March 2026 to 11 May 2026.
* **Selection Standard:** The government emphasizes a transparent and rigorous selection process to recognize "Value in Science."
**Impact Analysis**
**Scientists, Technologists, and Innovators**
**Impact**
Eligible individuals have the opportunity to receive high-level national recognition for their contributions to national development and scientific advancement.
**Action Required**
Interested candidates must prepare their documentation and submit self-nominations or institutional nominations via the official portal before the 11 May 2026 deadline.
**Academic and Research Institutions**
**Impact**
Institutions serve as key drivers in identifying talent and showcasing India’s scientific ecosystem on a national stage.
**Action Required**
Academic and research organizations are urged to actively participate by nominating deserving candidates and teams from within their ranks.
**Industry Bodies and Peers**
**Impact**
These stakeholders play a role in ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive search for talent across the industrial and scientific community.
**Action Required**
Industry bodies and professional peers should identify and nominate individuals whose work has had a significant societal or technological impact.
Key Entities Referenced
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP): A national initiative and set of prestigious awards to recognize outstanding contributions in the fields of Science, Technology, and Innovation in India.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary ministry responsible for overseeing the administration and launch of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar nominations.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): The nodal organization that administers the awards through the RVP Secretariat and the CSIR-HRDG.
Principal Scientific Advisor to the GOI: The high-level official who chairs the administrative framework for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar.
Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal: The official online platform used for the submission of nominations for the national science awards.
Ministry of Science & Technology
GOI Opens Nominations for Rashtriya Vigyan
Puraskar 2026 to Honour Excellence in Science,
Technology, and Innovation
Posted On: 28 MAR 2026 5:06PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India has invited nominations for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026, a
prestigious national initiative to recognize outstanding contributions in the fields of Science, Technology,
and Innovation. The awards are administered by the RVP Secretariat, Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR), the Ministry of Science & Technology, under the chairmanship of the Principal
Scientific Advisor to the GOI.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar honours scientists, technologists, and innovators whose work has
significantly advanced India’s scientific landscape and contributed to national development. Nominations,
including self-nominations, are open across a wide range of domains, including 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.
The RVP-2026 awards will be presented in four distinct categories:
Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognizing lifetime achievements in science and technology.
Vigyan Shri (VS): Acknowledging distinguished contributions to the field.
Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Encouraging young scientists (up to 45 years of age)
who have shown exceptional promise.
Vigyan Team (VT): Awarded to teams of three or more researchers for collaborative excellence.
Nominations, including self-nominations, are open online via the Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal
(https://awards.gov.in) from 28 March 2026 to 11 May 2026.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated that
“The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar reflects the Government’s unwavering commitment to fostering
excellence in science, technology, and innovation. These awards celebrate the spirit of inquiry and
dedication of our scientists and innovators who are driving India’s transformation into a global knowledge
leader. I encourage institutions, peers, and individuals to actively participate in nominating deserving
candidates whose work inspires the nation and contributes to societal progress.”
The Ministry has urged academic institutions, research organizations, industry bodies, and individuals to
actively participate in the nomination process to ensure widespread recognition of India’s scientific talent.
Speaking on the launch, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and
Technology, emphasized the importance of these awards in fuelling India’s scientific ecosystem.“The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is not just an award, but a testament to our nation’s commitment to
fostering a culture of excellence and innovation,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh. “As we strive towards a ‘Viksit
Bharat,’ we must recognize the tireless efforts of our researchers and technologists who are solving global
challenges through local ingenuity. These awards span 14 diverse domains—from Space Science to
Agricultural Science—ensuring that every field of impactful research is celebrated.”
The Minister further noted that these awards reflect the government’s commitment to recognizing “Value
in Science.” He noted that a more inclusive, transparent, and rigorous selection process, which includes
self-nomination, ensures that the most deserving talent from across the country is brought to the forefront.
For further information and detailed guidelines, interested candidates are encouraged to visit the official
portal or contact the RVP Award Secretariat at CSIR-HRDG, New Delhi*****
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