Rashtriya Vignan Puraskar 2026 – Nomination Process Launched The Government of India (GOI) has announced the opening of nominations for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026. The award is administered by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science & Technology , chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the GOI. Key Developments Nomination window: 28 March 2026 to 11 May 2026 via the Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal ( awards.gov.in ). Self‑nominations are permitted, encouraging broader participation. Four award categories: Vigyan Ratna (VR) , Vigyan Shri (VS) , Vigyan Yuva‑Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY‑SSB) , and Vigyan Team (VT) . Eligibility spans 14 domains, from Agricultural Science to Space Science and Technology. Important Facts The award seeks to recognize scientists, technologists and innovators whose work has significantly advanced India’s scientific landscape and contributed to national development. The announcement was made by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh , who emphasized that the RVP reflects the government’s commitment to a “culture of excellence and innovation.” Key points highlighted by the Minister: The awards aim to fuel India’s scientific ecosystem and support the vision of a “Viksit Bharat.” Inclusion of self‑nomination ensures a transparent and merit‑based selection process. The awards cover emerging and traditional fields, ensuring comprehensive recognition. UPSC Relevance Understanding the RVP is essential for GS‑3 (Science & Technology) as it illustrates the government’s policy instruments for promoting research and innovation. The award’s structure showcases how India incentivises both individual excellence ( VR , VS ) and collaborative research ( VT ). It also aligns with the broader policy goal of “Science for Societal Progress,” a recurring theme in essay and interview questions. For GS‑2 (Polity), the involvement of the PSA and the Ministry underscores the institutional framework governing scientific awards in India. Way Forward Students preparing for the UPSC should: Note the nomination timeline and portal ( awards.gov.in ) as an example of e‑governance. Understand the categories and eligibility criteria to appreciate how India recognises different stages of scientific careers. Analyse the impact of such awards on research funding, talent retention, and India’s global scientific standing. Monitor subsequent announcements (selection committees, awardees) for case‑study material on successful Indian innovations. For detailed guidelines, aspirants can refer to the official portal or contact the RVP Secretariat at CSIR‑HRDG, New Delhi.