The Government of India announced the second edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025 on October 26, honouring 24 distinguished scientists and one pioneering research team. Late astrophysicist Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (1938-2025), known for the Hoyle-Narlikar Theory of Gravitation and his contributions to cosmology and general relativity, was posthumously selected for the Vigyan Ratna award. The full list included: 1 Vigyan Ratna (posthumous), 8 Vigyan Shri awardees, 14 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardees (for scientists under 45), and 1 Vigyan Team Award (CSIR Aroma Mission). President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 23, 2025.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025: Jayant Narlikar Named Vigyan Ratna
AQuick answer
RVP 2025 announced Oct 26: late Jayant Narlikar gets posthumous Vigyan Ratna; 24 scientists and CSIR Aroma Mission team honoured.
Key facts
- 2nd edition of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025 announced Oct 26, honouring 24 scientists and 1 research team
- Late astrophysicist Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (1938-2025) posthumously selected for Vigyan Ratna — known for Hoyle-Narlikar Theory of Gravitation
- Awards: 1 Vigyan Ratna, 8 Vigyan Shri, 14 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (scientists under 45), 1 Vigyan Team Award (CSIR Aroma Mission)
- Awards were conferred by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 23, 2025
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 announcement, the posthumous Vigyan Ratna to Jayant Narlikar, and the structure of India's revamped national science honours system.
Answer (50 words):
On 26 October the Government announced Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025: late astrophysicist Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (1938-2025), co-author of Hoyle-Narlikar Gravitation Theory, was selected posthumously for Vigyan Ratna. With 8 Vigyan Shri, 14 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardees, and a Vigyan Team Award to CSIR Aroma Mission, conferred by President Murmu.
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National Mathematics Day is observed on December 22 to honour which mathematician?
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National Mathematics Day is observed on December 22 to honour Srinivasa Ramanujan's birth anniversary, declared by the Government of India in 2012.
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Frequently asked questions
Who received the Vigyan Ratna award in Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025?
**Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar** received the **Vigyan Ratna** — India's highest science honour — **posthumously** in the **Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025** for his lifetime contributions to **astrophysics and cosmology**.
What is the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar RVP and when was it introduced?
The **Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)** is India's highest recognition for scientific achievement, introduced in **2024** replacing the **Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize** system. It covers **13 domains** and is given by the **President of India**.
What are the different categories of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025?
The **RVP 2025** has four categories: **Vigyan Ratna** (top honour — Prof. Narlikar posthumously), **Vigyan Shree** (8 scientists), **Vigyan Yuva** (14 young scientists), and **Vigyan Team** (Team Aroma Mission CSIR). The awards cover **13 science domains**.
Who is Professor Jayant Narlikar and why was he awarded Vigyan Ratna?
**Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar** (1938-2025) was a renowned Indian **astrophysicist and cosmologist** who co-developed the **Steady State theory** with Fred Hoyle. He was awarded the **Vigyan Ratna posthumously** in RVP 2025 for his lifetime contributions to cosmology.
What replaced the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in India?
The **Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)**, introduced in **2024**, replaced the **Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize** system. The RVP covers **13 science and technology domains** and its top honour — **Vigyan Ratna** — was awarded posthumously to **Prof. Jayant Narlikar** in 2025.
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