Science Literature Awards announced – The Hindu

The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has announced the recipients of the Science Literature Awards for 2024.

The awards recognise outstanding contributions to science writing in Malayalam, and honour works published during 2024 across four categories — popular science, in-depth science, children’s literature and science journalism. Each award carries a cash prize of ₹50,000, a plaque and certificate.

Gopakumar Cholayil

In the Popular Science Book category, the award has been conferred on Biju Dharmapalan for his book “Manushyaparinaamapatham: Homo Sapiensilninnu Homo Deusilekku”. Dr. Dharmapalan is presently Dean (Academic Affairs) at Garden City University, Bengaluru, and hails from Vellayani in Thiruvananthapuram.

The In-depth Science Book award has gone to Gopakumar Cholayil for his work “Urukum Kaalam: Athithapanavum Athijeevanavum”. A former scientific officer with the Kerala Agricultural University, Dr. Cholayil is a native of Mullakkara in Thrissur.

Pradeep Orkkatteri

In the Children’s Science Literature category, the award has been presented to Pradeep Orkkatteri for his book “Pullarimadhuram Muthaarimuthal Malanchamavare”. He is employed in the State Institute of Encyclopaedia Publications, and is a native of Orkkatteri in Kozhikode.

Ashwin S

The Science Journalism award has been awarded to Ashwin S. for his series on artificial intelligence published in Malayala Manorama. He is presently working as a Senior Sub Editor at Malayala Manorama, Kottayam, and is a native of Oachira in Kollam.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the awards at the valedictory function of the 38th Kerala Science Congress in Kochi on February 1, 2026.