Context:
Union Government has instituted the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), a new set of 56 prizes to felicitate scientists, technologists and innovators.
About Awards:
- Objective – To acknowledge remarkable contributions made by scientists across diverse fields of science & technology.
- Domains for Awards –
- 13 domains – physics, chemistry, biological sciences, mathematics and computer science, earth science, medicine, engineering science, agricultural science, environmental science, technology and innovation, atomic energy, space science and technology, and Others.
- Representation from each domain including gender parity will be ensured.
- Award Categories –
- Vigyan Ratna: Celebrates lifetime accomplishments
- Vigyan Shri Award: Commends distinguished contributions
- Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award: Recognises young scientists up to the age of 45 years
- Vigyan Team Award: Recognizes teams comprising three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators for collaboratively achieving remarkable feats
- Eligibility –
- Scientists/ technologists/innovators working in government, private sector organizations or any individual working outside any organization.
- People of Indian Origin staying abroad with exceptional contributions benefiting Indian communities.
- Selection Process –
- Selected by Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee, headed by Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India.
- It will comprise of Secretaries of Science Departments, Members of Science and Engineering Academies and Distinguished scientists and technologists.
- Additional information –
- Awards shall be announced on 11th May (National Technology Day).
- Award Ceremony will be held on 23rd August (National Space Day).
- All Awards will have a Sanad & a medal.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards:
1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titled under Article 18(1) of ‘the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.
Which of the above statements are not correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
In 1996, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the National Awards — Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Sri. It ruled that these awards do not amount to ‘titles’ within the meaning of Article 18 which prohibits only hereditary titles of nobility. Therefore, they are not violative of Article 18 as the theory of equality does not mandate that merit should not be recognized. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
The award was started by former President Dr. Rajendra Prasad on January 2nd, 1954, are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and 1979,1993 to 1997, 2020, and 2021. it is suspended many times. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year. It was awarded to four people in the same year only once — in 1999. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
