AAPP proposes to institute the following awards and honours/AAPP fellowships from the year 2025.
AWARDS:
AAPP proposes to institute five categories of awards, viz.,
The detailed specifications of the Awards are briefly as follows:
A. ‘Shashya Suraksha Mahajnani Award’ (SSMA): This award is meant to give adequate recognition to those exceptional senior scientists who have retired or are on the verge of doing so (60+years age) having excelled and enthralled the agricultural community through their excellent and sustained contributions particularly through crop improvement and protection and have left an indelible mark on the art and science of plant protection through their publications (papers, books, handbooks, popular articles, patents in technology, technique or others) and contributed significantly in the generation of scientific and academic manpower in plant protection and generated holistic concepts through excellent team work.
Nature of Award: The award will consist of a silver medallion, a citation, a shawl and a cash award of Rs.25,000/-. The medallion will be embossed with the name of the award, the name of the recipient and the year of the award on the obverse and the Seal of AAPP with its logo.
Eligibility:
(i). Any citizen of India who has either retired from active service or is about to do so (Age 60+ yrs by Dec. 31, 2025).
(ii). Nominee’s career has revolved around crop protection and improvement, either as a teacher in any recognized University or in any of the recognized Institutes and Organizations.
(iii). The nominee teamed up with his students and/or junior associates to work sustainably on a meaningful, original research agenda leading to holistic concepts, methods or integrations that are held in a defined time frame.
(iv). Several of his students/associates have been recognized for their contributions in plant protection and crop improvement.
There is a general agreement that the nominee is a highly learned person of undisputed credentials.
In case sufficient nominations are not received in time, the Award Committee may nominate any candidate of undisputed credentials for the award for the year 2025. If this is not possible, the award may be deferred to another year to be announced on our website.
Nominations: Nominations may be filed by the respective Department/Faculties of the General/Agricultural Universities/Heads of recognized Institutions devoted to crop improvement/Protection/Vice-Chancellors of Universities, or Science administrative organizations (CSIR, ICAR, DRDO, BAARC, TIFR etc.), or any other recognized body of scientific enquiries.
Nominations must be filed by January 15, 2026, at the following address:
The Secretary, Association for Advancement in Plant Protection (AAPP), B-11/21, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal -741252, India, Email: aapp_bckv@yahoo.co.in
The form for nominations will be available at our website: www.aappbckv.org from November 30, 2025.
Number of Awards: One every three years
B. ‘Shashya Suraksha Yuva Pratibha Award’ (SSYPA): The Award is directed towards encouraging young, talented scientists who have a flair for original research.
Number of Awards: one
Frequency of Award: Once each year
Eligibility:
(i). The applicant shall be within the age of 40 years as on 31.12.2025.
(ii). The judgement will be based on primary scrutiny of papers submitted and finally on oral presentation of the selected candidates. Twenty minutes time will be allotted for each presentation. The papers may be written by the candidate singly or jointly, provided the latter certifies that the major portion of the work has been done by the applicant. Papers submitted for award should have a superscript ‘Shasya Suraksha Yuva Pratibha Award’ (SSYPA) on the top right of the MS.
(iii). The full paper (a hard copy along with a soft copy by email) in the format prescribed by The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences should be submitted by January 15, 2026, to the Secretary, AAPP, accompanied by a certificate from the Head of the Department/Division of the Institution. The application shall also include five copies of the candidate’s brief biodata indicating full name, address with phone number, e-mail ID, declaration on age, list of publications, etc. (as per proforma for SSYPA nomination available in www.aappbckv.org).
(iv). Only one paper can be submitted by each candidate. The candidate will certify that the paper submitted has not been submitted elsewhere for any other award and/or publication.
(v). The applications will be scrutinized by an Empowered Committee appointed by the Awards Committee representing disciplines of Plant Pathology/Nematology/Entomology/other Plant protection related disciplines will be recommended for oral presentation.
(vi). The ORAL presentation will be rated by a panel of three judges to be appointed by the Awards Committee from time to time. They will be graded on a scale of A = Excellent; B = Good; C = Average; D = Unsuitable.
(vii). Lobbying, in any form, may debar the candidate from presenting or winning an Award.
(viii). A candidate winning an Award will not be eligible to apply for the same in future.
(ix). The papers will be presented either during a Symposium organized by the AAPP or during its AGM, whichever is convenient in time frame.
(x). Generally, no travel grant will be available from the organisers for this purpose. Under exceptional circumstances, provision for a minimal travel grant may be possible.
(xi). Candidates (prospective) are expected to become a full member of AAPP to be eligible for the competition.
Nature of the Award:
The Award will consist of a bronze medallion, a certificate and a cash award of Rs.10, 000/-.
(i). The medallion will be embossed with the name of the award and the year of award on the obverse and the Seal of AAPP with its logo and year of initiation on the reverse.
(ii). The certificate will bear the Sign of the President and Secretary of the Association along with the SEAL of the Association.
(iii). The cash award will be in the form of a DD or a crossed cheque in favour of the winner(s).
The Awards Committee:
The Awards Committee will consist of (1) President of the Association, (2) Immediate Past President of the Association, (3) Secretary of the Association, (4) Chief Editor/Editor, JPPS, and (5) A nominee of the Sponsor(s) of the Awards, if any.
C. ‘Sashya Suraksha Innovative Farmer Award’ (SSIPA): AAPP also proposes an award to recognize farmers for their innovations in farming practices. Nominations from KVKs, NGOs, Societies, Co-operatives, Farmers’ Clubs etc. along with a narration of the concerned innovation and biodata of the farmer, are to be submitted. Publications or any form of recognition of innovation by the local farming community may also be included.
Nature of Award:
Award Committee:
The Awards Committee will consist of (1) President of the Association (2) Immediate past President of the Association (3) Secretary of the Association (4) Chief Editor/Editor, JPPS and (5) A nominee of the Sponsor(s) of the Awards, if any.
D. Fellows and Honours:
Association has also initiated the award Association Fellowships in two formats:
1. Association Fellowship:
2. Honourary Fellows: The Association may offer Honourary Fellowships based on its own assessment of meritorious and sustained services to the cause of plant protection and improvement. The award may not be restricted to members only.
E. ‘Shashya Suraksha Best M.Sc. Thesis Award’:
The Award is directed towards encouraging young, talented PG students who have a flare for original research.
Number of Awards: Three
Frequency of Award: Once each year
Eligibility:
(i). The judgement will be based on primary scrutiny of extended abstracts (within 1000 words) submitted and finally on poster presentation of the selected candidates. The extended abstract may be submitted along with the letter from the Head of the Division/ Department certifies that the work has been done by the applicant. Extended abstract submitted for award should have a superscript ‘Shashya Suraksha Best M.Sc. Thesis Award’ on top right of the extended abstract.
(iii). An extended abstract (MS-word format) and one copy of Thesis (PDF version having less than 10% Plagiarism of ithenticate or Turnitin Software) should be submitted by January 15, 2026, to the Official email addressed to the Secretary, AAPP accompanied by a certificate from the Head of the Department/Division of the Institution. The application shall also include five copies of candidate’s brief biodata indicating full name, address with phone number, e-mail ID, declaration on age, list of publications etc.
(iv). Students who have completed their M.Sc. / M.Sc. (Ag.) degree within 2021 to 2025 (on or before 31 December) in the discipline of Plant Pathology, Entomology, Nematology, Agronomy (Weed Science), Plant Protection, Agricultural Chemicals may be eligible to compete for the Award competition.
(v). The applications will be scrutinized by an Empowered Committee appointed by the Awards Committee representing the disciplines of Plant Pathology/Nematology/Entomology/other Plant protection related disciplines will be recommended for poster presentation.
(vi). The POSTER presentation will be rated by a panel of three judges to be appointed by the Awards Committee from time to time. They will be graded on the scale of A = Excellent; B = Good; C = Average; D = Unsuitable.
(vii). Lobbying, in any form, may debar the candidate from presenting or winning an Award.
(viii).A candidate winning an Award will not be eligible to apply for the same in future.
(ix). The papers will be presented during the Symposium organized by the AAPP.
(x). Generally, no travel grant will be available from the organisers for this purpose. Under exceptional situations provision for a minimal travel grant may be possible.
(xi). Candidates (prospective) are expected to become a full member of AAPP to be eligible for the competition.
Nature of the Award
The Award will consist of a bronze medallion, a certificate and a cash award of Rs.5, 000/-(1st Prize), Rs. 3000/- (2nd Prize) and Rs. 2000/- (3rd Prize).
(i). The medallion will be embossed with the name of the award and the year of award on the obverse and the Seal of AAPP with its logo and year of initiation on the reverse.
(ii). The certificate will bear the Sign of the President and Secretary of the Association along with the SEAL of the Association.
(iii). The cash award will be in the form of a DD or a crossed cheque in favour of the winner(s).
F. ‘Shashya Suraksha Best Ph.D. Thesis Award’:
The Award is directed towards encouraging young, talented PhD students for their outstanding doctoral research works.
Number of Awards: Two
Frequency of Award: Once each year
Eligibility:
(i). The judgement will be based on primary scrutiny of extended abstracts (within 1000 words) submitted and finally on poster presentation of the selected candidates. The extended abstract may be submitted along with the letter from the Head of the Division/ Department certifies that the work has been done by the applicant. Extended abstract submitted for award should have a superscript ‘Shashya Suraksha Best Ph.D. Thesis Award’ on top right of the extended abstract.
(iii). An extended abstract (MS-Word Format only) with a copy of Thesis (PDF version having less than 10% Plagiarism of ithenticate or Turnitin Software) should be submitted by January 15, 2026, to the Official email addressed to the Secretary, AAPP accompanied by a certificate from the Head of the Department/Division of the Institution. The application shall also a copy of candidate’s brief biodata indicating full name, address with phone number, e-mail ID, declaration on age, list of publications (with pdf of best two publications only with first author of the papers) etc.
(iv). Students who have completed their Ph.D. degree within 2021 to 2025 in the discipline of Plant Pathology, Entomology, Nematology, Agronomy (Weed Science), Plant Protection, Agricultural Chemicals may be eligible to compete for the Award competition.
(v). The applications will be scrutinized by an Empowered Committee appointed by the Awards Committee representing the disciplines of Plant Pathology/Nematology/Entomology/other Plant protection related disciplines will be recommended for ORAL presentation.
(vi). The ORAL presentation will be rated by a panel of three judges to be appointed by the Awards Committee from time to time. They will be graded on the scale A = Excellent; B = Good; C = Average; D = Unsuitable.
(vii). Lobbying, in any form, may debar the candidate from presenting or winning an Award.
(viii). A candidate winning an Award will not be eligible to apply for the same in future.
(ix). The papers will be presented during the Symposium organized by the AAPP.
(x). Generally, no travel grant will be available from the organisers for this purpose. Under exceptional situations provision for a minimal travel grant may be possible.
(xi). Candidates (prospective) are expected to become a full member of AAPP to be eligible for the competition.
Nature of the Award:
The Award will consist of a bronze medallion, a certificate and a cash award of Rs. 8, 000/-(1st Prize), and Rs. 6000/- (2nd Prize).
(i). The medallion will be embossed with the name of the award and the year of award on the obverse and the Seal of AAPP with its logo and year of initiation on the reverse.
(ii). The certificate will bear the Sign of the President and Secretary of the Association along with the SEAL of the Association.
(iii). The cash award will be in the form of a DD or a crossed cheque in favour of the winner(s).
AAPP reserves the right to withhold award under circumstances when suitable nomination/application is not available.