Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam of IIT Madras has been honoured with the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 in the Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar category for his groundbreaking work in technology and innovation, especially within affordable medical devices and healthcare solutions. This prestigious national science award recognises scientists whose research translates into real-world impact and strengthens India’s capabilities in cutting-edge innovation.

Sivaprakasam, director of the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre and the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras, returned to India in 2008 after research work abroad with a vision to make high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable through indigenous technology. His inventions span a spectrum of devices — from the Mobile Eye Surgical Unit that brings sterile cataract surgery to remote villages, to Eye PAC systems for low-cost ophthalmic screening, and VITALSENS clinical-grade wearables for vital monitoring. These solutions have already reached tens of thousands of patients across India and other countries.

Beyond devices, Sivaprakasam’s work incorporates advanced algorithms and smart engineering, significantly lowering costs and enabling early disease detection and treatment. His contributions showcase how homegrown science and collaborative innovation can not only replace imports but also lead to scalable, high-impact technologies that address critical healthcare gaps nationwide.