The award will be presented by Governor Smt. Anandiben Patel at Rajbhavan in Lucknow on Republic Day, 26 January 2026. It carries a cash prize of fifty-one thousand rupees and recognizes a scholar’s long-standing contribution to Buddhist culture and studies.

Currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University under India’s Ministry of Culture, Professor Singh’s career bridges academia and international diplomacy. From 2018 to 2022, he was a Diplomat and Director of the Indian Cultural Centre at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, where he worked to promote Indian culture in Japan and strengthen bilateral soft diplomatic ties.

His scholarly work includes authoring four books: Saddhammasangaho (History of Buddhism till 13th Century), Jinacarita (Biography of the Buddha), Zen Bauddha Dharma-Sangeet, and Remembering the Legend: Kosetsu Nosu. He has published over 80 research papers in Hindi, English, and Japanese on Indian culture and Buddhism, and has delivered lectures across the USA, Japan, China, Sweden, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and several other countries.

Professor Singh’s previous recognitions include the Japan Foundation Fellowship (2003-04), the Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship in the USA (2011-2012), and the Vadrayana Vyas President Award (2005). He has also held visiting professorships at Uppsala University and Karlstad University in Sweden, and at the University of Hyderabad.

His major academic interests include the applied aspects of Buddhism, Pali and Sanskrit literature, Indian culture, world religions, and Japanese Buddhism.