National Science Award In order to achieve scientific excellence for national development and foster technological leadership, the Union Ministry of Science and Technology presents four types of 'Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar' National Science Awards as the highest recognition for outstanding contribution in 13 science-related fields including atomic energy, space, environment, technological innovation. 24 people from science fields have been selected and announced for the four types of awards. Out of these, 3 IIT Madras professors Thalapil Pradeep, Mohana Shankar Sivaprakasam, and Shweta Prem Agarwal have been selected for the National Science Award. Professor Thalapil Pradeep, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras, has received the 'Vignan Shri'. He is recognized globally in molecular synthesis research and has been honored for his pioneering work in low-cost sustainable water purification systems. Mohana Shankar Sivaprakasam, Head of the Centre for Health Technology Innovation and Professor of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras, and Shweta Prem Agarwal, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, have been selected for the 'Vignan Yuva Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar' award. Mohana Shankar Sivaprakasam has been honored for his contributions to health technologies, including the development of low-cost medical devices, human brain imaging 3D-high-resolution imaging technologies, and the establishment of excellent research centers. Professor Shweta Prem Agarwal has been recognized for her pioneering research contributions in the field of cryptography. Tamil Nadu scientist: Apart from these awardees, Tamil Nadu-based biologist K. Thankaraju has been selected for the Vigyan Shri award for his long-term contributions to biological sciences. He has held various positions in the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Hyderabad DNA Fingerprinting and Analysis Center.
