Dr. V.M.Katoch, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has been honoured with Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray Award.

He received the award on January 3, 2012 from prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the opening of the 99th Annual Session of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) held at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneshwar.

The Indian Science Congress is annually organized by the Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkatta and is one of the largest congregations of Indian scientists. Sir P C Ray was one of the finest scientists of the pre-independence India who made remarkable contributions to the advancement of chemical sciences and industry in India totally based on Swadeshi thinking and efforts. The award that Dr Katoch has received was instituted in the year 1989 and is given on alternate year to a distinguished Indian scientist.