At the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 ceremony held on 23 December 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, Prof. Aniruddha Bhalchandra Pandit received the Vigyan Shri Award in Engineering Sciences for his exceptional contributions to chemical and reactor engineering.
As per pib.gov.in and ICT Department of Specialty Chemicals, Prof. Pandit’s work has transformed industrial processes and sustainable technologies, particularly through:
- Innovations in cavitational and multiphase reactor engineering, boosting efficiency in chemical processing.
- Development of energy-efficient microbial cell disruption techniques, now used as superior industrial alternatives.
Moreover, his leadership at ICT Mumbai has inspired students and researchers nationwide, marking this award as a milestone in his career and a proud moment for the institute.
President Conferred National Science Awards
At the ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 to 24 distinguished scientists across various categories. In addition to Prof. Pandit’s recognition, the awards spanned lifetime achievement, mid-career excellence, and emerging researcher honours.
Specifically:
- Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was posthumously honoured with the Vigyan Ratna for lifetime contributions to physics.
- Other Vigyan Shri recipients included Dr. Gyanendra Pratap Singh (Agricultural Science), Dr. Yusuf Mohammad Sheikh (Atomic Energy), Dr. K. Thangaraj (Biological Sciences), Dr. S. Venkata Mohan (Environmental Science), Prof. Mahan Mj (Mathematics & Computer Science), and Shri Jayan N (Space Science & Technology).
- Notably, the Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards recognized emerging researchers in fields like physics, earth sciences, technology, and medicine.
Significance of the Awards
These prestigious honours were given to recognise scientific excellence and innovation that contribute directly to national progress. Furthermore, women scientists were prominently represented among the recipients, highlighting India’s growing inclusivity in science and research.
Overall, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar showcases India’s dedication to celebrating scientists at all stages of their careers — from seasoned leaders like Prof. Pandit to promising young innovators across disciplines.
