New Delhi: The announcement of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar has been delayed due to heightened scrutiny and subjectivity in the selection process, according to Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. Introduced in 2023, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is regarded as the premier national award for achievements in science and technology, with the inaugural awards presented on August 22, coinciding with National Space Day last year. Similar to the Padma awards, categories such as Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, and Vigyan Team Awards were expected to be announced on May 11 for National Technology Day and awarded on August 23. “They will be announced soon. Some have become accustomed to hasty announcements.
Now there is more scrutiny and objectivity,” Singh informed reporters. The RVP faced controversy last year when allegations surfaced that three scientists critical of the government were omitted from the awardee list.