Context:
The Central Government plans to introduce 56 prizes as part of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar to honor scientists. These awards will include 3 Vigyan Ratna, 25 Vigyan Shri, 25 Yuva Vigyan Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and 3 Vigyan Team Awards. The announcement of these awards will take place every year on National Technology Day, May 11, and the awards ceremony will be held on National Space Day, August 23, starting from 2024.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Highlights About the Awards
- National Technology Day
Key Highlights About the Awards
Included Awards:
- Vigyan Ratna Awards:
- Recognize lifetime achievements and contributions in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Shri Awards:
- Recognize distinguished contributions to any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Team Awards:
- Given to a team comprising three or more scientists/researchers/innovators with exceptional contributions in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) Awards:
- Highest multidisciplinary science awards in India for young scientists (maximum 45 years).
- Named after Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, founder and director of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
Awards Open to PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin):
- PIOs are now eligible for these new awards.
- Only one PIO may receive the Vigyan Ratna.
- Three PIOs each can be selected for the Vigyan Shri and the VY-SSB.
- PIOs are not eligible for the Vigyan Team awards.
National Technology Day
- First observed in 1999 to commemorate the scientific and technological achievements of Indian scientists and engineers.
- Named by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- Celebrated annually by the Technology Development Board of India under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Awards individuals with the National Award for their significant contributions to science and technology.
- Marks the day of India’s successful nuclear bomb tests in Pokhran on May 11, 1998.
- Included the successful test-firing of the Shakti-1 nuclear missile in Operation Pokhran-II, also codenamed Operation Shakti.
-Source: Indian Express
