Vigyan Ratna for Physicist Jayant Narlikar | 27 Oct 2025
Why in News?
Eminent physicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar has been posthumously selected for the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar 2025, the country’s highest honour for lifetime achievement in science and technology.
- The Government of India announced the second edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, recognising 23 individuals and one institution across four categories — Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team.
Key Points
- About Jayant Vishnu Narlikar:
- Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (1938–2025) was an eminent astrophysicist known for his work on cosmology, general relativity, and the steady-state theory of the universe.
- A close collaborator of Sir Fred Hoyle, he co-developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravitation.
- He served as the founding director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune.
- His contribution bridged Indian and international research, and his popular science writings inspired generations of young scientists.
- Recipients of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025:
|
Vigyan Shri (Distinguished Contributions) |
|
|
Recipient(s) |
Field |
|
Gyanendra Pratap Singh |
Agricultural Science |
|
Yusuf Mohammad Shaikh |
Atomic Energy |
|
K. Thangaraj |
Biological Sciences |
|
Pradeep Thalappil |
Chemistry |
|
Aniruddha Bhalchandra Pandit |
Engineering Sciences |
|
S. Venkata Mohan |
Environmental Science |
|
Mahan Mj |
Mathematics and Computer Science |
|
Jayan N |
Space Science and Technology |
|
Vigyan Yuva (Young Scientist Award) |
|
|
Jagadis Gupta Kapuganti |
Agricultural Science |
|
Satendra Kumar Mangrauthia |
Agricultural Science |
|
Debarka Sengupta |
Biological Sciences |
|
Deepa Agashe |
Biological Sciences |
|
Dibyendu Das |
Chemistry |
|
Waliur Rahaman |
Earth Science |
|
Arkaprava Basu |
Engineering Sciences |
|
Sabyasachi Mukherjee |
Mathematics and Computer Science |
|
Shweta Prem Agrawal |
Mathematics and Computer Science |
|
Suresh Kumar |
Medicine |
|
Amit Kumar Agrawal |
Physics |
|
Surhud Shrikant More |
Physics |
|
Ankur Garg |
Space Science and Technology |
|
Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam |
Technology and Innovation |
|
Vigyan Team Award |
|
|
CSIR Aroma Mission |
Agricultural Science |
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
- About:
- The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is India’s highest national honour recognising exceptional contributions by scientists, technologists, and innovators.
- Modelled on the Padma Awards, it celebrates achievements across diverse fields of science, technology, and innovation.
- The awards are presented annually by the President of India on National Space Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Instituted in 2023, the RVP awardees are recommended by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC), chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser, with the first ceremony held in August 2024.
- Categories:
- Vigyan Ratna: Recognises lifetime achievements and contributions in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Shri: Awarded for distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Yuva: Given to young scientists (below 45 years) for exceptional achievements in science and technology.
- Vigyan Team: Conferred on teams of three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators for outstanding collaborative work.