Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP): A New Framework for Science Awards and Governance Concerns
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Current events of national importance (Awards and Honours - RVP, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards); Key Institutions/Offices (Principal Scientific Adviser - PSA).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): "Government policies and interventions"; "Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability". (The centralization and selection process of awards).
General Studies Paper 3 (Science & Technology): "Achievements of Indians in science & technology"; "Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life." (How India promotes its S&T ecosystem).
General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics): "Probity in Governance" (Transparency, objectivity, and political neutrality in recognizing merit).
Key Highlights from the News
The Central Government has announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) awards for achievements in the field of science. It is modeled after the Padma-style awards.
The award is given in four categories: Vigyan Ratna (lifetime contribution), Vigyan Shri (distinguished contribution), Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award (young scientists under 45 years), and Vigyan Team (team of scientists).
The RVP awards were instituted in 2022 to cut down on the numerous awards given by various science departments and to raise their "stature".
Unlike the old Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards, the RVP awards have no cash component.
A committee, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee, chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), "recommends" the awardees. However, the final decision rests with the Minister of Science and Technology.
There is concern that the Minister taking this final decision could lead to the award determination being politicised.
Last year, the exclusion of the names of some scientists who had criticized the government at the last minute raised questions about the transparency of the selection process.
The article argues that for the stature of the awards to be truly raised, the government should adopt a "hands-off approach" and allow other scientists to evaluate scientists.
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