Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar

Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar (RKVP) is a national award that recognizes scientists and technical experts for their exceptional contributions and breakthroughs in agriculture and allied scientific sectors. ICAR invites nominations for this award every year, and the 2026 cycle has been completed with the award ceremony held on the ICAR Foundation Day.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, presents the Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar. This scheme honors scientists and technical personnel for outstanding work in agricultural research, education, extension, and allied sciences. It celebrates the development of important processes, products, tools, technologies, and new practices that improve agricultural productivity and sustainability across India.

Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar - Introduction

For the 2026 cycle, nominations were accepted on the national awards portal from 1 January 2026 to 15 March 2026. The announcement of the award winners was made by the Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, at a press meet in New Delhi during the last week of June 2026. The award presentation took place on a suitable occasion, preferably the ICAR Foundation Day on 16 July of the year.

Scientists, technologists, innovators, and extension professionals working in ICAR research institutes, public agricultural institutions, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in India are eligible to apply. Self-nomination is allowed, and any individual or institution can also recommend a scientist or a team for the award.

Fields Covered

Awards are presented across four major domains in the agriculture and allied sciences:

• Crops and Horticultural Sciences
• Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Engineering
• Animal and Fisheries Sciences
• Social Sciences

Award Categories

There are five award categories, and the number of awardees in each category is fixed for every cycle:

• Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Allied Sciences: 4 awardees
• Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences: 4 awardees
• Outstanding Interdisciplinary Team Research in Agriculture, Agricultural Education, Extension and Allied Sciences: 1 awardee
• Outstanding Woman Scientist in Agriculture, Agricultural Education, Extension and Allied Sciences: 1 awardee
• Outstanding Young Scientist in Agriculture and Allied Sciences: 4 awardees

Key Information

Benefits

i. Award winners receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and President of ICAR.

ii. A commemorative brochure, including the citation and a photograph of the awardee, is released during the ceremony.

iii. If an awardee is unable to attend the ceremony due to personal reasons, the award is still considered conferred. No proxy is permitted to receive the award, except in the case of posthumous honors.

Eligibility

General conditions apply to all applicants, and these rules stay the same for the 2026 cycle:

• Applicants must be Indian scientists working in agriculture or allied fields within ICAR institutes, public agricultural institutions, or Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
• The research, innovation, or extension work must prove a big effect on society, the economy, or the environment, with endorsement from the Head of the Institution.
• There is no minimum service period requirement, and applications are open at any career stage.
• Applicants may submit only one application per year for a specific contribution.
• Applicants must have a clean service record with no pending inquiries or major punishments in the last five years.
• Participation is restricted to one category only, and an application is valid for one year with no carry-over.

Category-Specific Criteria:

Innovation and research awards are open to individuals or teams of up to 5 members who are below 60 years of age as on the closing date of the application. For a team, the team leader needs to be below 60 years of age.

Interdisciplinary research requires a team of at least 3 members with scientist-level representation from a minimum of three disciplines, and the team leader must be below 60 years of age.

Woman Scientist category is open to individual women scientists engaged in research in agriculture and allied subjects, extension, or innovations in a recognized institution, aged below 60 years.

Young Scientist category requires a doctoral degree, a regular teaching, research, or extension education job in the ICAR-SAU system institutions, and an age below 45 years as on the closing date of the application.

Application Process

For the 2026 cycle, applications were submitted online through the national awards portal. The steps followed for applying are given below.

STEP 1 - Visit the official National Awards Portal and register your account.

STEP 2 - Select the appropriate registry type, either Individual or Organization.

STEP 3 - Complete the registration form by providing personal or organizational details, including Aadhaar information.

STEP 4 - Log in with your registered credentials and navigate to the award list.

STEP 5 - Select the Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar and click on Nominate or Apply Now.

STEP 6 - Fill out the mandatory fields carefully and confirm the submission before the closing date.

Documents

Applicants must provide the following while applying for the award:

Completed application form, a detailed description of the contribution, and evidence of its effect on society, the economy, or the environment. Technical supporting documents such as research papers and patents, along with an official clean service record certificate, are also required.

References

Further information and official guidelines for the Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar:

• ICAR - Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar Official Page
• RKVP 2026 Official Guidelines PDF
• National Awards Portal - Guidelines
• ICAR Official Website

FAQ's

What is the Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar?

It is a prestigious national recognition for agricultural scientists, technologists, and extension professionals who have made significant improvements in research, innovation, and agricultural extension.

What criteria define eligible work?

Selected work must demonstrate clear and measurable effects in research, innovation, or agricultural extension that benefit society, the economy, or the environment.

Are there age restrictions for applicants?

Age requirements depend on the category: below 60 for general, interdisciplinary, and woman scientist categories, and below 45 for the Young Scientist award.

Can I apply as part of a team?

Yes, innovation or research awards allow teams of up to 5 members, while interdisciplinary awards require a minimum of 3 members from different disciplines.

Is the application valid for subsequent years if unsuccessful?

No, applications are valid for the current year only and are not carried forward to future calls.