Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director and Vice-Chancellor of ICAR–IARI, has been named the recipient of the Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award for his lifetime achievements and transformative impact on India’s food security.

This award cycle is particularly notable as it coincides with the Birth Centenary Year of the legendary agricultural scientist, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.

Dr. Rao was selected for his pioneering work in climate-resilient farming, including the development of 637 District Agricultural Contingency Plans and scaling resource conservation technologies across 4 million hectares.

The awardee was chosen by a high-level committee chaired by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra (former DG of ICAR) and included eminent experts like World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Vijay Gupta and Dr. Soumya Swaminathan.

Former Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, will present the award, which includes a gold medal and a ₹2 lakh cash prize, on April 18, 2026, at the MCRHRD Institute in Hyderabad.