Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)

Source: The post Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) has been created, based on the article “Perfunctory panacea: Scientists need greater funding for research, not national awards” published in “The Hindu” on 12th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Science and Technology- Achievements of Indians in science & technology

Context: The article discusses the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), a new set of awards replacing the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards. It emphasizes the need for better funding and support for scientists in India, rather than just offering them awards.

What is the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)?

1. The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is a new set of awards introduced by the Indian government to honor scientists.
2. It replaces the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards, which were previously given to scientists under 45.
3. The RVP includes multiple categories: Vigyan Yuva-SSB, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Ratna, and Vigyan Team awards.
4. The Vigyan Yuva-SSB is for young scientists under 45, while Vigyan Shri and Vigyan Ratna are for those over 45 with distinguished careers.
5. The Vigyan Team award recognizes groups of scientists with exceptional contributions, like the Chandrayaan-3 team.
6. The number of awards is capped at 56, though this year fewer awards were given.
7. The RVP awards aim to consolidate and elevate the prestige of national scientific awards in India.

For detailed information on Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar read this article here

What are the challenges faced by scientists in India?

1. Limited Funding: Many scientists in India operate with minimal financial resources, making it difficult to pursue advanced research.
2. Substandard Equipment: Scientists often work with outdated or inadequate equipment, which hampers their ability to conduct cutting-edge research.
3. Discouraging Research Environment: The environment for scientific research can be unmotivating, affecting productivity and innovation.
4. Lack of International Recognition: Indian scientists rarely win prestigious awards like the Nobel Prize, despite their contributions. This has been a concern for many governments.
5. Overemphasis on Awards: The government has focused on awards like the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, but this does not address the root issues such as funding and infrastructure.
6. Institutional Dominance: Awardees are predominantly from elite, centrally funded institutions, highlighting the gap between these and other research bodies.

Question for practice:

Discuss the challenges faced by scientists in India despite the introduction of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP).