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DRDO Launches 2024-25 Defence Science & Technology Awards Nominations

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 14:19 GMT by Free Press Journal

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DRDO Opens 2024‑25 Defence Science & Technology Awards Nominations – UGC Calls on Institutions to Act

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has officially launched the nomination window for its prestigious 2024‑25 Defence Science & Technology Awards. In parallel, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a notification urging Indian universities, research institutes and other academic bodies to begin identifying and submitting nominations for eligible faculty, researchers and students. The move is part of a broader effort to incentivise innovation in India’s defence sector and to acknowledge the country’s most groundbreaking contributions to military science and technology.

1. What the Awards Are All About

DRDO’s annual awards are the flagship honours given by the Indian Ministry of Defence to individuals and teams whose work has significantly advanced the country’s defence capabilities. The awards cover a wide spectrum of domains—including aeronautics, electronics, weapons technology, cyber‑security, materials science and autonomous systems. They are designed to recognise:

• Innovation – Novel ideas that translate into new products, processes or platforms.
• Technology Development – Breakthroughs that improve existing systems or deliver new operational capabilities.
• Applied Science – Fundamental research that is ready for field deployment or has a clear pathway to defence application.
• Young Talent – Outstanding contributions from early‑career scientists and engineers.

The 2024‑25 edition will feature five main categories:

(All figures are indicative and reflect the latest DRDO press release. Nominees should confirm exact amounts on the official portal.)

2. How Nominations Work

Eligibility Criteria

• The nominee must be an Indian citizen (or an Indian national) who is actively engaged in defence‑related research or development.
• The contribution should be demonstrable through peer‑reviewed publications, patents, prototypes, or operational deployments.
• For the young scientist award, the nominee should be 40 years of age or younger at the time of nomination.
• In addition, the nominee may be an individual, a team of up to five members, or an institutional entity.

Documentation Required

• A formal nomination form (available online at the DRDO portal) detailing the nominee’s background, work description, and impact.
• Supporting documents: publication list, patent certificates, product specifications, or deployment reports.
• Recommendation letter(s) from a senior researcher or institutional head.

Deadlines

• UGC Notification Release: 29 May 2024
• Nomination Submission Window: 1 June 2024 – 30 June 2024 (online portal)
• Final Shortlist Announcement: 31 July 2024
• Awards Ceremony: 30 September 2024 (at the Defence Research and Development Organisation headquarters, Bengaluru)

These dates are subject to change; institutions are encouraged to keep a close eye on the DRDO website for any updates.

3. UGC’s Role in the Process

UGC’s latest notification, dated 29 May 2024, specifically asks universities and research institutes to:

1. Identify Potential Nominees – Scan their faculty, post‑docs, PhD students and collaborative projects that align with the award categories.
2. Verify Eligibility – Ensure nominees meet all criteria, including citizenship, research focus and age limit (for the young scientist award).
3. Assist with Documentation – Prepare and attach the requisite supporting materials, and help draft recommendation letters.
4. Submit Online – Use the DRDO portal’s “UGC‑linked” interface, which simplifies the process for institutions and allows for bulk uploads.

UGC also issued a reminder that institutions must maintain an up‑to‑date record of their research output to facilitate the nomination process. The commission emphasised that early identification of candidates increases the likelihood of success, especially given the competitive nature of the awards.

4. Why These Awards Matter

Encouraging Innovation
The defence sector faces rapidly evolving threats. Recognising and rewarding researchers who push the envelope in areas such as autonomous weapons, quantum sensors, and cyber‑defence is essential for maintaining strategic advantage.

Boosting Academic‑Industry Linkages
The awards highlight the importance of collaboration between academia and the DRDO ecosystem. Successful projects often involve joint work with private industry and international partners, fostering a more integrated innovation pipeline.

Career Advancement for Researchers
Recipients receive not only monetary rewards but also national recognition, which can enhance career prospects, funding opportunities, and opportunities for international collaboration.

Public Awareness
The awards shine a spotlight on the Indian defence R&D community, countering the perception that defence technology is a secretive domain. They showcase tangible achievements that the broader public can appreciate.

5. How to Get Involved

• For Institutions: Begin the nomination hunt by consulting your research registry. Prepare a nomination package for each shortlisted candidate and submit via the DRDO portal.
• For Researchers: Keep your publication records, patent filings and product milestones well documented. If you are a potential nominee, talk to your department head or the DRDO liaison officer early.
• For Students: Although the awards are primarily for seasoned researchers, student projects that demonstrate innovative technology can be nominated under the “young scientist” category, provided the student is 40 years or younger.
• For Collaborators: If you are working with an Indian institution, ensure that the collaboration is clearly documented and aligned with the award criteria.

6. Final Thoughts

The 2024‑25 Defence Science & Technology Awards represent an opportunity for India’s scientific community to be acknowledged at the highest level for contributions that directly strengthen national security. With UGC actively encouraging institutions to participate, the nomination drive is expected to be robust and diverse. Researchers across the country should seize this chance to showcase their work, strengthen their professional profile, and help pave the way for the next generation of defence innovations.

(For the most accurate and up‑to‑date information, always refer to the official DRDO portal and the UGC notification. Good luck to all potential nominees!)