**Which is the Highest Award given for Science in India?**
Verified**Explanation:**
The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award is indeed the highest scientific honor given in India. This prestigious award was established in 1958 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to recognize outstanding contributions by young scientists and researchers in various fields of science and technology.
The award is named after Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, who was the first Director-General of CSIR and played a crucial role in establishing scientific research infrastructure in independent India. Dr. Bhatnagar was a visionary scientist who laid the foundation for modern scientific research in the country and is often called the "Father of Research Laboratories" in India.
This award recognizes scientists under the age of 45 who have made exceptional contributions in twelve different categories of science and technology. These categories include Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Medicine, Physics, and Statistics, among others. Each year, multiple scientists can receive this honor, with the selection being extremely competitive and rigorous.
The award comes with a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a citation, and a plaque. Recipients of this award are often considered among the brightest minds in Indian science and many go on to achieve even greater recognition in their respective fields. The award has been given to many renowned scientists who have made significant contributions to both Indian and global scientific knowledge.
Some notable recipients include Dr. C.N.R. Rao, Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, and Dr. Tessy Thomas, among many others. The award continues to inspire young scientists across India to pursue excellence in research and contribute to the nation's scientific advancement.
