The primary and essential criterion for the award is demonstrated and widely accepted excellence in science.
[2][3] The first award, for the year 2004, was given to a renowned chemist Prof CNR Rao, for his works in solid state and material chemistry, by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the inauguration of the 93rd Indian Science Congress on 3 January 2006.
On 30 June 2003 the Ministry of Science and Technology (India) approved the framework and guidelines of the award.
The meeting was attended by 20 eminent scientists, government officials, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Science and Technology.
The recipient is a scientist, of no age limit, who had made a groundbreaking scientific research that is widely demonstrated and accepted, and the work done primarily in India.