Merger of National Geoscience Awards with Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) and opening of Nominations for RVP 2026

F.No. 11/13/2019-M.l[E] Ministry of Mines Government of India GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi Dated /O~pril 2026 CIRCULAR It is informed that the National Geoscience Award (NGA), instituted by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, in the year 1966, has been merged with Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP). The RVP honours scientists, technologists, and innovators whose work has significantly advanced India's scientific landscape and contributed to national development. The latest RVP guidelines are enclosed as Annexure I. 2. Nomin~tions for RVP 2026 are open online via the Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal (https://awards.gov.in) from 28 March 2026 to 11 May 2026. The awards are administered by the RVP Secretariat, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology. A copy of the press release for the RVP 2026 nomination is attached as Annexure II. 3. Government departments, private agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, industry bodies, and individuals are requested to circulate this circular widely and encourage participation in the nomination process of the RVP. 4. This issues with the approval of the competent authority. Yi I O l.( tyO ')...-6 [Yogend a S ng~ Bhamboo] Director (Technical) 011-26773610 Email: dirtech.mom@nic.in.... • RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR 1. 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. 2. 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 technology-led innovation. 3. Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 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 path-breaking research or innovation or discovery in any fields of science, technology, or technology-led 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. 111="'h ?n?R Source URL: https://csirhrdg.res.in/•• 4. Conditions of Eligibility 4.1 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. 4.2. Scientists, technologists, and innovators of Indian origin abroad with exceptional contributions benefitting the Indian communities or society at large shall also be eligible. 5. Age Limit and Annual Number of Awards The age limits for the awards shall be as under: Name of the Eligibility conditions Age Limit Max. No. Award of awards annually Vigyan Ratna Lifetime contributions, along No age 3 with excellence made in any limit field of science. Vigyan Shri Distinguished contribution in any No age 25 field of science limit Vigyan Yuva Exceptional contribution by young up to 45 25 -Shanti scientists yrs Swarup Bhatnagar Vigyan Team A team comprising of three or more No age 3 researchers/technocrats/innovators limit who have made an exceptional contribution as a team. 6. 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, Environmenta/Science, Mathematics 1 & 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. Source URL: https://csirhrdg.res.in/. ' •• ' 7. 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 self;nomination. 8. Who Can Nominate? 8 1. Any individual/institution may nominate scientists/a Team of scientists from the Government or the Private Sector 8.2 Scientists can also nominate themselves (Self-Nominations) 8.~ 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. 9. 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. 10. Selection procedure 10.1 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: · a. 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) b. Up to two select Presidents of the Science and Engineering Academies c. Three distinguished scientists and technologists from different fields of Science and Technology. 10.2 The comn:iittee shall be constituted every year. ,~- Source URL: https://csirhrdg.res.in/•• , 10.3 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. 10.4 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. 10.5 No award shall be conferred except on the recommendation of the RVPC. 10.6 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. 10. 7 The names of the persons recommended by the RVPC shall be submitted to the Hon'ble Minister for Science & Technology for approval. 11. Announcement of Award and the Award Ceremony 11.1 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. 11.2 The Award Ceremony may be organised every year in Rashtrapati Bhavan or at an alternative suitable venue. 12 Decoration 12.1 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. ; 12.2 In case 0f posthumous award, the decoration of the award shall be received by the 'next of ~in' of sueh awardee. ~ Source URL: https://csirhrdg.res.in/• • 12.3 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. 13 General policy & procedures The process of the Awards shall be reviewed every 5 years for course correction & improvement • 14 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 bio-datallettemead.Msiting card, etc. to indicate that ha/she is a recipient of the award: - Name of awardee (Q(name of award) awardee or (ii) "Awarded .................... (name of the award) by the Presiden\,r{ ; Source URL: https://csirhrdg.res.in/30/03/2026, 09:44 Press Release:Press Information Bureau Ministry of Science & Technology GOI Opens Nominations for Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026 to Honour Excellence in Science, Technology, and Innovation प्रिवि ितिथ: 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. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2246455&reg=3&lang=2 1/330/03/2026, 09:44 Press Release:Press Information Bureau 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 https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2246455&reg=3&lang=2 2/330/03/2026, 09:44 Press Release:Press Information Bureau ***** NKR/AK (Release ID: 2246455) Visitor Counter : 536 Read this release in: Urdu , िही , Marathi , Telugu https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2246455&reg=3&lang=2 3/3