AI SummarySukhatme National Award in Statistics is the national honor given by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) for high-quality research work in official statistics. This scheme recognizes Indian statisticians who develop new methods for sample surveys, data management, and data integration, and it gives them national-level honor for their lifetime work.
MoSPI invited nominations for the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026 online through the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in. The window opened on 1st January 2026 and closed on 31st January 2026.
The nomination window for the 2026 Sukhatme National Award has now closed, and the award ceremony was held on Statistics Day on 29th June 2026. This award is given in alternate years, so the next chance to apply will come in the next announced cycle.
Sukhatme National Award in Statistics
The award was started in memory of Prof. P.V. Sukhatme, a well known statistician who did outstanding work and long service to statistics and its use in agriculture and related fields. The award is given in alternate years to senior Indian statisticians for their lifetime contributions and achievements in the field of statistics. It carries a citation, a shawl, and a memento.
If you are selected, the government covers your air travel by the shortest route, at the level allowed for a Joint Secretary, along with boarding and lodging for the award ceremony. Only one award is given each year, shared on an alternating basis with the C.R. Rao National Award in Statistics for young statisticians.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Sukhatme National Award in Statistics |
| Level | Central |
| Eligible People | Individual |
| States Covered | All |
| Category | Science, IT and Communications |
| Sub Category | Research and Development |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation |
Awards and Benefits
When you are chosen for this award, you receive a formal citation signed by the Hon'ble Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation. You are also honored with a traditional shawl and a memento.
As part of the award, the government arranges your air travel by the shortest route, at a level equal to a Joint Secretary, and takes care of your boarding and lodging for the ceremony. For example, if a candidate has to travel for the event, all these arrangements are made by the department.
Eligibility
Check these points to know if you can apply for the award:
- You should be an Indian national, no matter your race, gender, occupation, or position.
- You should be at least 45 years old as of the 31st of December of the financial year in which the award is announced.
- You should not be part of the selection process as an official.
- Your family members should not be linked to the selection committee.
Application Process
You can send your nomination yourself, or an institution can propose your name. The whole application has to be done online through the National Awards Portal, and no other mode is accepted.
STEP 1 - Go to the official National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in and open the page for the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics.
STEP 2 - Find the Nominate or Apply Now option at the top of the page and click on it.
STEP 3 - Choose Click here to Register under the Login to Portal section and pick whether you are applying as an Individual or an Organisation.
STEP 4 - Fill in your personal details, such as your full name, date of birth, mobile number, current address, and Aadhar number.
STEP 5 - Enter the CAPTCHA code and click Submit to finish your registration.
Your nomination must be supported by testimonials from 3 distinguished statisticians or referees, sent through the portal itself. If a nominee has passed away recently, the award can be given posthumously, provided the person passed away within 1 year of the nomination.
Selection Procedure
Every application goes through four stages of checking: first a primary review by the Subject Matter Division of MoSPI, then an examination by a Screening Committee, then external scrutiny of your research work, and finally the selection by the central Award Committee, approved by the Hon'ble Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Documents
Keep these documents ready before you start your application:
- Self-attested Nomination Form
- Aadhar Card
- Testimonials from 3 distinguished statisticians or referees
- A detailed description of your professional contributions
- Supporting documents such as research papers, patents, and previous award certificates
- Recent photographs
References
You can find more information about this award through these official links:
- National Awards Portal
- View Official Guidelines on the Awards Portal
- MoSPI Advertisement for Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026
- Call for Nominations for Sukhatme National Award 2026
- PIB Press Release on Sukhatme National Award in Statistics 2026
FAQ's
What is the Sukhatme National Award in Statistics?
It is a national-level honor started by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to recognize the lifetime contributions and research work of Indian statisticians in the field of statistics.
Who can apply for this award?
Any Indian national who is at least 45 years old as of the 31st of December of the announcement year can apply for this award.
Who is not allowed to apply?
If you or your family members are part of the selection process, you cannot apply or be considered for this award.
What benefits does the award give?
You receive a citation, a shawl, and a memento. The government also covers your air travel, boarding, and lodging for the award ceremony.
How many awardees are chosen each year?
Only one awardee is chosen each year, because the Sukhatme National Award and the C.R. Rao Award are given in alternate years.
Who can nominate a candidate?
You can nominate yourself, or an institution can propose your name. Every application needs the support of 3 referees who are distinguished statisticians.
How and where does one apply?
You must apply online only, through the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in.
When was the 2026 application window?
The window for the 2026 award opened on 1st January 2026 and closed on 31st January 2026. Since this is an alternate-year award, the next window will be announced for the following cycle.
Are posthumous nominations allowed?
Yes, the award can be given posthumously if the nominee passed away within one year of the nomination date.