S&T Awards*
CAIRD was initiated by CSIR in 2006 for recognizing and honouring outstanding S&T innovations that have created a paradigm shift and significant impact in transforming the quality of life of the rural people or demonstrated competitive advantage and positive user response, alleviated their drudgery or helped in generation of rural employment in the country and shown a new way of conducting business to achieve social and economic transformation in rural development. Successful S&T innovations that are implemented at ground level thus will be considered. The innovation should simultaneously also broaden interactions among academic, R&D and rural financial institutions, industry and commercial sectors, and rural people and provide newer vehicles for participatory developments. The award consists of a cash prize of Rs.10 Lakh, a citation and a shield. Any Indian team, or an organization, or a company registered in India is eligible to apply. A two-tier selection process is adopted for selecting the awardees.