Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar National Award 2023 Winners List

Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar National Awards

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards hold a special place in the field of science and technology in India. These awards are named after Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, a renowned chemist who not only made significant contributions to the world of science but also played a pivotal role in establishing the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award was established in 1958 in honour of Dr. Bhatnagar’s remarkable contributions to science and his instrumental role in advancing India’s scientific capabilities and also to recognize and celebrate exceptional scientific work by Indian researchers.

Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award Category

These awards are considered the highest honour in multidisciplinary sciences within India. They are presented annually to scientists who have made remarkable contributions to various fields of science and technology. The categories include Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award Prize

One of the notable features of these awards is the cash prize that accompanies them. Each awardee receives a prize of Rs 5,00,000 (five lakh rupees), making it a significant recognition of their achievements. This recognition not only honours the scientists but also serves as an encouragement for further research and innovations.

To be eligible for these prestigious awards, a scientist must be an Indian citizen engaged in research work. Importantly, they should be below the age of 45 years as of December 31st of the year preceding the award. This age limit ensures that the awards go to relatively young and promising scientists.

Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award Winner List 2023

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards for 2022 were announced by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) with a significant delay, as they were revealed a year after they were originally scheduled. These awards were presented to 12 young scientists from various parts of India. Notably, the delay meant that the awards for 2022 are actually announced in the year 2023.

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Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award Eligible Nominators

Nominations for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards are made by distinguished individuals and organizations in the field of science and technology. Eligible nominators include:

• Members of the Governing Body of CSIR
• Presidents of academies of all-India character
• Vice-Chancellors of Indian Universities deemed Universities, and Institutions of national importance
• Deans of Science, Engineering, Medical, Agriculture, and Technology Faculties
• Directors of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)
• Directors General of major R&D Organizations
• Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, and other relevant organizations
• Directors of CSIR Laboratories/Institutes
• Secretaries of Government Science Departments
• Member in charge (Science) in the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog)
• Former Bhatnagar Prize Awardees

University faculties should recommend scientists from their own institutions through their respective Vice-Chancellors. Faculties in IITs should route their nominations through their Directors. Directors General of R&D Organizations and Chairman of Commissions can nominate scientists from their respective organizations. Directors of CSIR laboratories/institutes can nominate candidates from various disciplines, regardless of whether they work within or outside of CSIR.

Read about: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award History

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award is a prestigious scientific honour in India that recognizes exceptional contributions in various fields of science and technology. It is named after Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, a renowned Indian scientist and visionary leader. Dr. Bhatnagar played a significant role in shaping India’s post-independence science and technology landscape.

Who was Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar?

Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar was not only a distinguished scientist but also the founder director (and later the first director-general) of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). He is credited with establishing twelve national laboratories in just twelve years, a remarkable achievement. His efforts were instrumental in building India’s scientific and technological infrastructure and in formulating the country’s science and technology policies.

Dr. Bhatnagar held several important positions in the government, including being the first Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and Educational Adviser to the government. He also served as the first Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resource & Scientific Research and as the Secretary of the Atomic Energy Commission. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) of India.

In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Bhatnagar made significant contributions to the fields of magnetochemistry and the physical chemistry of emulsions. His research work was widely recognized and earned him several accolades. He was conferred with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1936, knighted in 1941, and elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, London, in 1943. He was also honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 1954 by the President of India.

 It is awarded annually to outstanding scientists below the age of 45 in various scientific disciplines, continuing Dr. Bhatnagar’s legacy of promoting indigenous research and recognizing excellence in science and technology.

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