Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar | 29 Dec 2025

Source: TOI

The President of India presented the 2nd edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, India's highest national science awards, honoring 24 scientists for their contributions across diverse scientific disciplines.

• The Vigyan Ratna was awarded posthumously to Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a renowned Indian astrophysicist. 
• He is globally known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar Theory of Gravity, an alternative to Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. The theory supports the Steady State Model of the Universe, offering a non–Big Bang cosmological perspective.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

• About: It is India's national-level science award, instituted by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Modeled on the Padma Awards, it honors excellence, innovation, and high-impact contributions in science and technology.
• Coverage: The awards cover 13 key scientific domains, including Space Science, Atomic Energy, Engineering, and Medicine.
• Categories: The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is conferred under four categories:
  • Vigyan Ratna (VR): Highest science award of India, given for lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions.
  • Vigyan Shri (VS): Awarded for distinguished and sustained contributions in a specific field.
  • Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY–SSB): For scientists below 45 years, recognizing young scientific talent.
  • Vigyan Team (VT): Conferred for exceptional collaborative research and teamwork.
• Significance: It strengthens India’s scientific ecosystem by promoting innovation and excellence. The award also recognizes collaborative research, reflecting modern scientific practices.