Hyderabad, Jan. 3 (PTI): Eminent scientist Prof. C N R Rao, today became the first recipient of the India Science Award, the highest honour in the field of science in the country, for his path-breaking work in solid state and materials chemistry.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presented the award, carrying Rs 25 lakh in cash, gold medal and a citation, to Prof. Rao at the inaugural function of the 93rd Science Congress at the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) on the city outskirts.

The septuagenarian scientist is the Linus Pauling Research Professor and Honorary President of the Bangalore-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.

A jury headed by Dr R Chidambaram, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, chose him for the coveted award for his pioneering contributions in science.

"Prof Rao's passion as well as professional commitment are and have been among the most powerful, constructive and creative forces in Indian science," the citation, read out by Prof V S Ramamurthy, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said.

"I am overwhelmed by this honour. I am the happiest man in the world today," Prof Rao said in his acceptance speech. He recalled how he pursued his passion for research though the conditions for scientific experiments were very much limited in the early 1960s.

"I have enjoyed being a scientist. I cannot think of any other profession which gives the ultimate satisfaction," Prof Rao, who has published 1,200 research papers, said.