New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Gantantra Mandap. This marks the inaugural award ceremony for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, which recognizes outstanding contributions to science and technology in India.

A total of 33 awards were given across four categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team. The Vigyan Ratna Award, honoring lifetime achievements, was awarded to Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan, a leading figure in molecular biology and biotechnology research in India.

The Vigyan Shri Awards were presented to 13 scientists for their significant contributions in various fields of science and technology. The Vigyan Yuva-SSB Awards recognized 18 young scientists for their exceptional work, including studies on Indian Ocean warming and advancements in 5G technology and quantum mechanics.

The Vigyan Team Award went to the Chandrayaan-3 team for their groundbreaking achievement in successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 lander near the moon’s south pole. This mission, a major milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), highlights significant progress in space technology and research.

The awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of scientists who have made notable impacts in their respective fields, marking a new tradition of honoring scientific excellence in India.