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National Geoscience Awards

Context

The President of India will confer the prestigious National Geoscience Awards – 2023 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

National Geoscience Awards

• Initiated in 1966 by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, these awards were originally known as the National Mineral Awards until 2009.
• Aimed at celebrating and acknowledging the exceptional contributions of individuals and teams in various geoscience domains including mineral discovery, exploration, mining technology, and mineral beneficiation, as well as fundamental and applied geosciences.

Eligibility and Criteria

• Eligibility: Open to any Indian citizen who has made significant contributions to the field of geosciences.
• Categories of Awards:
  • National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement
  • National Geoscience Award
  • National Young Geoscientist Award

Significance of the Awards

• These awards serve as a mark of recognition and appreciation for outstanding excellence, commitment, and innovation in geosciences.
• 2023 Update: For the year 2023, the Ministry of Mines has selected 12 awardees, comprising 9 individual recipients and 3 team awards, following thorough deliberations.

National Film Awards

Context

Recently, the winners of the 70th National Film Awards for 2022 were announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

National Film Awards

• Established: The awards were introduced in 1954 and have been managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals, alongside the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, since 1973.
• Awards: Recipients are honored with a Medallion, a monetary reward, and a certificate of merit.

Award Categories

• Feature Films: Focuses on films that showcase both aesthetic and technical prowess. It aims to promote the appreciation of India’s diverse regional cultures and national unity.
• Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus Award) is given in six categories:
  • Best Feature Film
  • Best Direction
  • Best Children’s Film
  • Best Popular Film
  • Best Film in the category of Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC).

Non-Feature Films: Recognizes films that are socially relevant and technically proficient.

• Awards:
  • Best Non-Feature Film
  • Best Debut Film of a Director

Writing on Cinema: This category is for those who contribute significantly to the study and critical evaluation of cinema through various mediums.

• Awards:
  • Best Book on Cinema
  • Best Film Critic Award

Eligibility and Submission

• Eligibility: Entries must be produced in India, and the primary creators (directors and producers) must be Indian nationals. International co-productions must adhere to specific guidelines.
• Certification: Films need certification from the Central Board of Film Certification within the calendar year—between January 1st and December 31st.
• Participation: Annually, over 100 films from various categories are submitted for consideration.

Selection Process

• Juries: The Directorate of Film Festivals appoints juries with stringent eligibility criteria to evaluate submissions, ensuring that the selection process remains unbiased and not influenced by external parties.