Govt invites nominations for Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026 to recognize excellence in science and innovation
The central government has opened nominations for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026, a prestigious national award recognizing outstanding contributions in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. The awards are administered by the RVP Secretariat, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, under the guidance of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
The RVP seeks to honour scientists, technologists, and innovators whose work has significantly advanced India’s scientific landscape and contributed to national development. Nominations, including self-nominations, are invited across a wide range of domains, including Agricultural Science, Atomic Energy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Defence Technology, Earth Science, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Science, Mathematics & Computer Science, Medicine, Physics, Space Science and Technology, Technology & Innovation, and others.
The 2026 awards will be presented in four categories:
* Vigyan Ratna (VR): For lifetime achievements in science and technology.
* Vigyan Shri (VS): For distinguished contributions in the field.
* Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): To encourage young scientists (up to 45 years) showing exceptional promise.
* Vigyan Team (VT): For collaborative excellence by research teams of three or more members.
Nominations are open online via the Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal ([https://awards.gov.in](https://awards.gov.in)) from March 28 to May 11, 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said, “The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar reflects the Government’s commitment to fostering excellence in science, technology, and innovation. These awards celebrate the dedication and creativity of our scientists and innovators, who are driving India’s transformation into a global knowledge leader. I encourage institutions, peers, and individuals to nominate deserving candidates whose work inspires the nation and benefits society.”
Dr. Singh further emphasized that the awards span 14 diverse domains, ensuring that contributions from all significant fields of research are recognized. He added that a transparent, inclusive, and rigorous selection process, including self-nomination, ensures that the most deserving talent from across the country is brought to the forefront.
Academic institutions, research organizations, industry bodies, and individuals are urged to participate actively in the nomination process to promote wide recognition of India’s scientific talent. For detailed guidelines and further information, candidates may visit the official portal or contact the RVP Award Secretariat at CSIR-HRDG, New Delhi.
