Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 awarded by President Droupadi Murmu highlights India’s top scientific achievements, innovators, and team contributions in science and technology.
President of India Presents Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan
On December 23, 2025, the Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, one of India’s most prestigious national science awards, at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The event was organized to recognize excellence in scientific research, innovation and technology for strengthening India’s scientific ecosystem.
In its second edition, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar honored 24 exceptional scientists and innovators across four distinct categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and Vigyan Team Award. These awards highlight outstanding contributions in diverse fields such as agriculture, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, space science, and innovatio
The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries including the Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, along with luminaries from India’s scientific community. The awards recognize both lifetime achievements and groundbreaking contributions by scientists at different stages of their careers.
Among the awardees, Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was conferred the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar 2025 posthumously for his lifelong contributions to astrophysics and cosmology. The CSIR Aroma Mission Team received the Vigyan Team Award for revolutionizing aromatic crop cultivation and supporting rural entrepreneurship through science-led solutions.
Importance of Awards in Promoting Science and Innovation
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar plays a crucial role in encouraging scientific research in India by honoring achievements that have a significant impact on national development and global competitiveness. Recognizing innovative work inspires young researchers to pursue solutions to real-world challenges through rigorous scientific inquiry.
Highlighting excellence in multiple scientific domains, these awards also reaffirm the Indian government’s commitment to fostering an innovation-driven economy and strengthening the nation’s position as a global leader in science and technology.
Why This News Is Important for Competitive Exams
Understanding major national awards like the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 is vital for students preparing for government exams such as SSC, UPSC (IAS/PCS), Banking, Railways, Defence (CDS/NDA), Teaching and Police services because they often ask questions on national honors, key scientific developments, and government initiatives promoting research and innovation.
National Recognition for Scientific Excellence
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is India’s top scientific honor for research and innovation. The award distinguishes itself by celebrating both individual and team achievements across numerous scientific disciplines. Aspirants should be aware of its categories — Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Team Award — as these are commonly asked in current affairs sections of competitive exams.
Policy Focus on Science and Technology
The Indian government’s focus on rewarding scientific excellence underscores the nation’s broader policy to strengthen research, innovation and technology-led growth. Such initiatives directly reflect India’s strategic priorities in sectors such as agriculture, space, medicine, environmental science, and engineering — all recurrent themes in exam syllabi.
Encouraging Youth and Team Innovation
The inclusion of the Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and Team Awards categories emphasizes the Government’s support for young scientists and collaborative research, which is also a key topic in national development agendas and reports included in exam studies.
Historical Context
Origin and Evolution of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is a national award instituted by the Government of India to recognize exemplary scientific achievements and contributions that significantly impact the nation’s innovation ecosystem. This award is modelled after other high-prestige civilian honors to highlight science as a pillar of national development.
Awards Structure and Categories
The awards are conferred under four major categories:
- Vigyan Ratna – Lifetime achievement in scientific research
- Vigyan Shri – Outstanding individual contributions
- Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar – Recognizing young scientists
- Vigyan Team Award – Honouring impactful collaborative scientific efforts
Importance in India’s Scientific Landscape
Since its inception, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar has been instrumental in promoting scientific thinking, innovation, technological solutions and motivating researchers to push the boundaries of science for national development. The award aligns with India’s long-term goals of becoming a global leader in scientific research and innovation.
Key Takeaways from Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025
| Sr. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 23, 2025 |
| 2. | A total of 24 awards were given across four categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team. |
| 3. | Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar received the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar posthumously for lifetime contributions to astrophysics. |
| 4. | The CSIR Aroma Mission Team won the Vigyan Team Award for science-led solutions in aromatic crop cultivation. |
| 5. | The awards aim to promote excellence in science, technology, research and innovation in India. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar?
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is a prestigious national science award instituted by the Government of India to honor exceptional contributions in science, research, and innovation. It recognizes individual and team achievements that advance India’s scientific ecosystem.
2. Who presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025?
The awards were presented by President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on December 23, 2025.
3. How many categories are there in the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar?
There are four main categories:
- Vigyan Ratna
- Vigyan Shri
- Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar
- Vigyan Team Award
4. Who was awarded the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar 2025?
Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar received the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar 2025 posthumously for his lifetime contributions to astrophysics and cosmology.
5. Which team received the Vigyan Team Award 2025?
The CSIR Aroma Mission Team received the Vigyan Team Award for their science-led solutions in aromatic crop cultivation and promoting rural entrepreneurship.
6. Why is the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar important for students preparing for competitive exams?
Questions about national awards, government initiatives, and scientific achievements are often asked in exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, and State PCS exams. Understanding the awardees, categories, and significance is crucial for current affairs preparation.
7. Which sectors of science does the award cover?
The award covers multiple disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, agriculture, environmental science, space science, and innovation.
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