What India can expect from the ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’ awards

Subject : Schemes

Section :S&T

Context:

Recently, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research announced the winners of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards for 2022.

Categories of Recognition:

The awards will encompass four categories:

Vigyan Ratna: Recognizing lifetime achievements of scientists.
Vigyan Shri: Acknowledging distinguished contributions to a specific field.
Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar: Encouraging young scientists who have made exceptional contributions.
Vigyan Team: Recognizing collaborative efforts of teams comprising three or more individuals.

Recognition Domains:

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar will be conferred across 13 domains, encompassing areas such as Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology and Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology.
The government emphasizes the importance of ensuring adequate representation of women in these domains.

Annual Awards Distribution:

Annually, there will be three Vigyan Ratnas, 25 Vigyan Shris, 25 Vigyan Yuvas, and 3 Vigyan Teams. Only the Vigyan Yuva category will have an age limit of 45 years.

Rationalizing Science Awards:

The introduction of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar aligns with the government’s effort to rationalize awards in the field of science and technology. It seeks to enhance the prestige and value of these awards by reducing their numbers and eliminating endowments.

Key Differences from Older Awards

Inclusivity: Open to innovators, technologists, and those in the industry with diverse affiliations.
Expanded Eligibility: Includes technology-led innovations or products alongside discovery-based research.
Team Awards: Acknowledges the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of scientific research.
No Age Limit: Except for the Vigyan Yuva-SSB award, eliminating age barriers and ensuring gender representation.
Global Recognition: Open to Persons of Indian Origin abroad, recognizing the global footprint of modern science.
Elimination of Cash Prizes: Awards focus on certificates and medals.

Intent and Processes

Notable Contributions: Emphasise that recognized contributions go beyond standard job descriptions.
Comprehensive Citations: Include dedicated citations for teaching, mentoring, science communication, public engagement, leadership, and administration.
Age Limit Considerations: Reconsider age limits for the Vigyan Yuva-SSB award to ensure gender parity and consider personal circumstances.
Transparent Selection Process: Adhere to predetermined timelines, publicise shortlisted applicants, and ensure diverse selection committees.
Diversity and Inclusivity: Pledge to ensure socioeconomic and demographic representation among awardees.
Continuous Evaluation: Regularly assess the impact of the new award system on scientific work, diversity, and inclusivity.