Dr. Raman Selvakumar is a distinguished agricultural scientist currently serving as a Scientist at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, since 29 November 2019. He works in the field of vegetable science and plant breeding with a focus on improving nutritional quality, disease resistance, and productivity of vegetable crops.

He has been a recipient of several prestigious fellowships from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), including the Junior Research Fellowship (2009) and Senior Research Fellowship (2012), reflecting his strong academic and research foundation. He also qualified NET-Lectureship (2011) conducted by the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board.

Research Contributions

Dr. Selvakumar has made significant contributions to vegetable crop improvement and molecular breeding. His research focuses on marker-assisted selection, nutritional enhancement of vegetables, and plant disease management.

A notable achievement is his contribution to the development and release of the variety Pusa Golden Cherry Tomato‑2, the first golden cherry tomato developed for protected cultivation.

His research also includes:

• Marker-assisted breeding for anthocyanin-rich carrot lines.

• Molecular mapping of anthocyanin content in tropical carrots.

• Identification of genes regulating root epidermis, xylem, and phloem development in carrots.

• Development of anthocyanin- and carotenoid-rich carrot hybrids with improved nutritional value.

• Collection and conservation of 30 promising genotypes of carrot, radish, and turnip.

• Identification and standardization of cyanin and cyanidin compounds in carrots.

• Research on inheritance and breeding strategies for nutritional and yield traits in colored carrots.

He has also worked on eco-friendly disease management technologies, including:

• Controlling **chilli wilt using Trichoderma harzianum with vermicompost substrate.

• Management of onion Stemphylium disease using extracts of Origanum vulgare.

• Marker validation for tomato leaf curl virus resistance using Ty-1, Ty-3 and Ty-3a markers in Solanum chilense.

In addition, he has deposited 10 gene accessions to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) including GalDH, GPP, GalLDH, and GGP genes related to metabolic pathways.

Publications and Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Selvakumar has made extensive scholarly contributions:

• 33 Research Publications in reputed journals.

• 30 Books, Reports, Book Chapters, and General Articles.

His research outputs significantly contribute to vegetable breeding, crop nutrition, and molecular genetics.

Professional Recognition, Awards & Fellowships

Dr. Selvakumar has received numerous national and international recognitions for his scientific contributions, including:

• MASHAV Fellowship, Ministry of External Affairs, Israel (2023)

• Jawaharlal Nehru Award, ICAR (2018)

• Dwarika Nath Memorial Award, ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (2017)

• Young Scientist Award, Pearl Foundation (2016)

• Young Scientist Award, Society of Tropical Agriculture (2017)

• Young Scientist Award, ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research and Samagra Vikas Welfare Society (2017)

• Excellence and Innovation Research Award, Pearl Foundation (2017)

• PhD Thesis Award, Society for Integrated Development of Agriculture Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (2018)

• Best Poster Awards from Horticultural Society of India and Indian Society of Vegetable Science

These honors highlight his excellence in vegetable science, plant breeding, and agricultural biotechnology.

Following recognitions are received in 2025:

Fellow, Indian Society for Horticultural Research and Development (SHRD), 2025

Outstanding Researcher Award –   Indian Society of Agriculture & Horticulture Research Development (ISHARD), 2025

Young Scientist Award –   Indian Society of Agriculture & Horticulture Research Development   (ISHARD), 2025

Eminent Scientist Award – National Agricultural Development Cooperative Limited (NADCL), Baramulla, 2025

Agriculture Achiever Award – Sabujeema, 2025

Eligibility for the Best Scientist Award 

Dr. Raman Selvakumar is highly eligible for the Best Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels due to his outstanding contributions to agricultural research, particularly in vegetable crop improvement, molecular breeding, and nutritional enhancement. As a Scientist at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, he has made significant innovations including the development of the variety Pusa Golden Cherry Tomato-2, the first golden cherry tomato developed for protected cultivation. His research on marker-assisted selection for anthocyanin-rich carrots, identification of genes regulating root tissues, development of nutritionally enriched hybrids, and eco-friendly disease management strategies has contributed substantially to sustainable agriculture and food nutrition. With 33 research publications, 30 books and chapters, multiple national and international awards, and gene submissions to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, his scientific achievements, innovation, and impact on horticultural science make him a deserving candidate for the Best Scientist Award.