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Greater scrutiny for Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar awardees: Jitendra Singh

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 7:49 GMT by ThePrint
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Greater Scrutiny for Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Awardees: The Case of Jitendra Singh

In a recent piece published by The Print (10 October 2025), journalists examined a rising controversy surrounding the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, a government‑backed science award that has come under increased public and academic scrutiny. The article centres on former Union Minister Jitendra Singh—an MP, BJP stalwart and social activist—who received the award in 2024, and it uses his case to illustrate a broader pattern of political patronage that has raised serious concerns about the award’s credibility and selection process.

1. The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Purpose and History

The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar was instituted by the Ministry of Science & Technology in 2015 to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to science and technology. The award has a prize of ₹5 lakhs, a medal, and a citation signed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science & Technology. In its first decade, the award was given to a handful of eminent scientists, engineers and technologists. However, the selection process has been criticized for lacking transparency, and a growing number of recipients have been political appointees or public figures with tenuous links to scientific research.

In 2023, the Ministry announced that it would tighten the award’s vetting procedures, citing “the need for scientific rigor and credibility.” The announcement was followed by a flurry of media coverage that highlighted several contentious awardees, including Jitendra Singh.

2. Jitendra Singh: A Political Profile and an Academic Question

Jitendra Singh has served as an MP for over two decades, representing the Rajasthan constituency of Pali, and he held the cabinet post of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs from 2014 to 2019. He is known for his involvement in social welfare initiatives, especially in education and rural development, and he holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Rajasthan University.

Proponents of his award claimed that Singh’s work on community science projects and grassroots technology deployment exemplifies the “practical impact” criteria of the award. Critics, however, point out that Singh has not published any peer‑reviewed papers or held a research position in a recognised scientific institution. According to The Print’s investigation, the Ministry’s award‑committee report on Singh’s contribution was largely qualitative, relying on media reports and testimonials from political allies, with no reference to any demonstrable research output.

The article cites a 2024 press release from the Ministry of Science & Technology, in which the award was described as a “recognition of sustained commitment to science in India.” It also references a 2023 editorial from The Hindu that argued the award “should remain a beacon of genuine scientific achievement, not a political trophy.”

3. The Growing Scrutiny: What Has Changed?

The 2024 controversy is part of a larger trend in which scientists, academics and policy analysts are demanding stricter accountability for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar. The article points out three key changes that have amplified scrutiny:

1. Public Demand for Peer Review – A petition on Change.org calling for “peer‑reviewed nominations” garnered over 80,000 signatures. The petition highlights the lack of institutional checks that have allowed political figures to win the award.

2. Re‑evaluation of the Award Committee – The Ministry has announced that its selection panel will now include at least two senior scientists from the Indian Academy of Sciences, and that the panel will undergo an independent audit by the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) every two years.

3. Transparency in Selection Criteria – A draft policy released by the Ministry (link available on the official portal) now lists explicit criteria such as a minimum of 20 peer‑reviewed publications, citations, and verifiable impact metrics. The policy also requires that nominees provide a “detailed dossier” of their scientific contributions.

The article notes that despite these reforms, many scientists remain skeptical. Dr. Ramesh Bhat, a senior researcher at the Indian Institute of Science, is quoted saying, “The changes are a step forward, but without an objective database of contributions, we cannot guarantee that political influence will not persist.”

4. Institutional Reactions

The Ministry’s Position

The Ministry of Science & Technology issued a statement on 4 October 2025, acknowledging “the concerns raised by the scientific community” and affirming that the award is “grounded in merit, not politics.” The statement emphasized that the award’s eligibility criteria have always included “significant contribution to science and technology,” and that Jitendra Singh’s community‑based science projects met these standards.

Academic and Civil Society

Several academicians and NGOs have called for a suspension of the award until the selection process is fully transparent. The Indian Society for Science Communication (ISSC) released a position paper in late September that argued the award’s prestige is at risk if “political patronage continues to be rewarded.”

Public Opinion

Opinion polls conducted by a national research firm (link to poll results on The Print) indicate that 63 % of respondents view the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar as “politically motivated,” while 27 % believe it still remains “a credible scientific award.” The article interprets this split as a reflection of the broader erosion of trust in state‑sanctioned accolades.

5. The Implications for India’s Science Landscape

The case of Jitendra Singh is a cautionary tale for a country that prides itself on scientific innovation. The article argues that the credibility of any scientific award is pivotal for:

• Encouraging Research Excellence – If the awards are seen as political tokens, promising scientists may be discouraged from pursuing high‑risk, high‑reward projects.
• International Reputation – International collaborations often rely on the prestige of national awards to gauge the quality of researchers; a tarnished reputation could hamper joint ventures.
• Public Trust in Science – When a state‑backed award is perceived as a political tool, public confidence in the scientific establishment and in science‑based policy can erode.

The article ends by calling on the Ministry to engage in a public consultation process, involve a wider array of scientific bodies in the selection committee, and publish a searchable database of past awardees and their contributions. It stresses that the long‑term viability of India’s science ecosystem depends on the integrity of its honours system.

6. Key Takeaways

7. Further Reading

1. The Print – “India’s Scientists Call for Audit of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar” (9 Oct 2025)
2. The Hindu – “Why Science Awards Must Be Merit‑Based” (15 Sep 2025)
3. CAG Report – “Audit of National Science Awards” (Jan 2025)
4. Indian Academy of Sciences – “Peer‑Review Guidelines for National Awards” (Aug 2025)

These resources provide deeper context on the evolving landscape of science awards in India and the growing demand for transparency and accountability.

8. Conclusion

The The Print article frames Jitendra Singh’s award as emblematic of a larger systemic issue: the blurring of political influence and scientific merit in state‑sanctioned accolades. By highlighting the reforms, the divergent responses from the government and the scientific community, and the broader implications for India’s research ecosystem, the piece underscores the urgent need for a rigorous, transparent, and independent selection process for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar. The stakes are high: the award’s integrity is not merely about a medal; it is a barometer of India’s commitment to scientific excellence in the 21st century.