Overview
The Bharat Life Sciences Award 2026 has opened applications, establishing a first‑of‑its‑kind national platform to honour scientific excellence, innovation and public‑health impact across India’s life‑sciences ecosystem. The award is supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council and Invest India, and is backed by a total grant support of INR 7 crore.
Organisers and Partnerships
The award is convened by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company (India). FICCI, established in 1927, is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India, a non‑government, not‑for‑profit body representing over 2,50,000 companies. Eli Lilly is a global medicines company with nearly 150 years of experience in biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine.
Award Categories
The platform recognises individuals, teams, institutions and enterprises through the following categories:
- Samman (Grants) – Ramanujan Arogya Udaan Samman
- Samman (Individual Excellence – Young Scientist Award) – Charaka Arogya Samman
- Collaborative Innovation – Innovation for Unmet Patient Needs – Sushruta Arogya Samman
- Collaborative Innovation – Translational and Clinical Advancement – Nalanda Arogya Vigyan Samman
- Institute of Scientific Excellence – (category name as listed)
- Gaurav (Recognition) – Jivaka Arogya Navpravartan Gaurav (Startups Innovator in Healthcare/Life Sciences)
- Gaurav (Recognition) – Sarabhai Arogya Drishti Gaurav (Promoting Scientific Ecosystem in India)
Governance and Evaluation
An independent, trans‑sectoral jury comprising eminent leaders from science, healthcare, academia, policy and industry will evaluate submissions. Grant Thornton Bharat serves as the independent Process Advisor to ensure transparency and adherence to robust evaluation standards.
Quotes
"The Bharat Life Sciences Award reflects India's growing ambition to lead in science‑led innovation and healthcare advancement. At FICCI, we believe that recognizing and supporting excellence is critical to building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem," said Anant Swarup, Secretary General, FICCI.
"India has long been home to exceptional scientific talent and discovery. The Bharat Life Sciences Award is designed to recognise and elevate this excellence—across individuals, teams, and institutions—while reinforcing the importance of rigour, innovation, and measurable public health impact," said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, Eli Lilly and Company (India).
Inaugural Ceremony
The inaugural edition of the Bharat Life Sciences Award ceremony will be held on 1 October 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from science, healthcare, academia, government and industry to celebrate achievements shaping the future of life sciences in India.
About Lilly (Optional Context from Release)
Lilly is a medicines company turning science into healing, advancing discoveries in diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, immune disorders and cancer, and aims to make medicines accessible and affordable.