The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has instituted two National Awards for statisticians who make outstanding contributions in their field. One award is given to senior statisticians in memory of Prof. P. V. Sukhamte and the other award is given to young statisticians in honour of Prof. C. R. Rao. Each of the awards is given in alternate years. First National Award in Statistics for Senior Statisticians was given to Prof. J. K. Ghosh, eminent statistician and ex-director, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.

    First National Award in Statistics for young statistician for the year 2000-2001, has been awarded jointly to Dr. Rahul Mukerjee, Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata and Dr. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Professor, Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi, for their outstanding and substantive contribution to the Statistics.