Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025: Vigyan Ratna to Jayant Narlikar posthumously; Team award to CSIR Aroma Mission
President Droupadi Murmu presented the second Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar to 24 scientists at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 23 December 2025, with the Vigyan Ratna conferred posthumously on astrophysicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar.
Summary
President Droupadi Murmu presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 to 24 scientists and innovators at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on 23 December 2025, the second edition of the national science awards. The Rashtriya Vigyan Ratna Puraskar for lifetime achievement was conferred posthumously on astrophysicist Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, and the Vigyan Team award went to the CSIR-led Aroma Mission, credited with the 'Purple Revolution' of lavender cultivation that began in Bhaderwah and Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar also includes Vigyan Shri awards for distinguished contributions, such as to Jayan N in space science, and the Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for scientists below 45.
Key facts
- Date / venue
- 23 December 2025, Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Edition
- Second Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
- Awardees
- 24 scientists and innovators
- Vigyan Ratna
- Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (posthumous)
- Vigyan Team
- CSIR Aroma Mission (lavender, 'Purple Revolution')
- Vigyan Yuva–SSB Award
- Scientists below 45
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Who was conferred the Rashtriya Vigyan Ratna Puraskar 2025 (posthumously) on 23 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Jayant Vishnu Narlikar
PIB 2207860: the Vigyan Ratna for lifetime achievement was awarded posthumously to astrophysicist Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Team Puraskar 2025 was won by which team, credited with the 'Purple Revolution'?
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Correct answer: C — CSIR Aroma Mission
PIB 2207860: the Vigyan Team Award went to the CSIR-led Aroma Mission, which promoted lavender cultivation in the Himalayan region ('Purple Revolution').
Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025: 1. It was the second edition of the awards. 2. The Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award is for scientists below the age of 45. 3. Lavender cultivation promoted by the winning team began at Bhaderwah and Gulmarg. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2207860: the 2025 ceremony was the second edition; Vigyan Yuva–SSB is for scientists below 45; and lavender entrepreneurship began from Bhaderwah and Gulmarg in J&K. All three are correct.