In a distinguished ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu presented one of India's highest scientific honours, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar-Vigyan Shri for the year 2025, to Dr S Venkata Mohan. The director of the CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) in Nagpur was recognised for his exemplary and pioneering contributions to the field of environmental science and engineering.
A Prestigious Honour for Environmental Stewardship
The Vigyan Shri award stands as a top-tier national recognition in science and technology. It serves as a tribute to Dr Mohan's outstanding research, sustained commitment, and trailblazing work. The accolade, comprising a medal and a formal citation, acknowledges his impactful efforts in advancing sustainable and innovative environmental technologies that have earned respect both within India and across the globe.
Pioneering Research with Real-World Impact
Dr Mohan's research is strategically focused on tackling the world's most pressing environmental issues. He employs sustainability-driven bioengineering and circular bioeconomy approaches to create practical solutions. His pioneering work spans several critical areas:
- Biorefineries and waste-to-wealth technologies that convert waste into valuable resources.
- Developing low-carbon energy systems to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Innovative methods for wastewater treatment and resource recovery.
- Advancing carbon dioxide bio-sequestration techniques to mitigate climate change.
These innovations have led to scalable, practical applications that significantly improve environmental sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of industrial processes.
A Prolific Career of National and Global Recognition
Dr S Venkata Mohan's contributions are documented through an impressive body of work. He is a prolific researcher with over 450 scientific publications to his name and holds 16 patents. Furthermore, he has guided the next generation of scientists by successfully supervising 42 PhD scholars. His work in environmental biotechnology is widely acclaimed by the international scientific community.
The Vigyan Shri adds to a long list of prestigious national honours he has received. These include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the INAE–SERB Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship, and the DBT–Tata Innovation Fellowship. His continued dedication and breakthroughs play a vital role in reinforcing India's leadership in sustainable environmental research and innovation, setting a benchmark for scientific excellence aimed at creating a cleaner, greener future.
