Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

Recently, the Indian government has instituted the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) to replace multiple science and technology awards given annually.

RVP comprises 56 prizes recognizing scientists, technologists, and innovators, similar to the prestigious Padma awards, but without a cash component.
The awards include three Vigyan Ratna awards, 25 Vigyan Shri awards, 25 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards, and three Vigyan Team awards.
- They cover various fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, medicine, engineering, agriculture, environment, technology, atomic energy, space science, and more.
The awards aim for adequate representation of women and are open to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in limited numbers.
Categories include lifetime contributions, distinguished contributions, exceptional contributions by young scientists, and exceptional contributions by research teams.
The awards will be announced annually on May 11 and presented on August 23, starting in 2024.
A committee, comprising officials from science ministries, academies, and distinguished scientists, will oversee the awards process.
The RVP awards significantly reduce the number of science awards previously given by various ministries, eliminating most internal awards.

PIO

· Means a foreign citizen (except a national of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal).

· A foreign citizen whose one of the parents/grandparents/great grandparents was born and a permanent resident of India.

· Who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.

AMIGOS IAS