Awards and Recognition

1. IARS Research Excellence Award–2026

We are delighted to announce the “IARS Research Excellence Award – 2026”, which will be presented during the International Conference on “Statistical Modelling, Optimization, and Data Science (SMODS- 2026)” hosted by the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Manipal University Jaipur, from October 8-10, 2026, in conjunction with the 10th Convention of IARS.

This prestigious award is designed to honor researchers for their exceptional contributions and significant impact in the areas of Statistics, Reliability Theory & Modelling, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, and Data Science. The award recognizes dedication, innovation, and scholarly excellence, and aims to encourage further advancements and collaborations in these critical fields.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Open to researchers from academia, industry, and research institutions worldwide.
  • Nominees must have made significant, original contributions to the fields mentioned above.
  • Nominees should not be below the age of 35 years as of August 31, 2026.

Nomination Guidelines:

Each nomination must include:

  • A detailed research summary highlighting key contributions and impact.
  • An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Copies of five (5) most significant research publications from the last three (3) years.
  • Any relevant supporting documents.

Who Can Nominate:

Nominations may be submitted either by the candidate themselves or by a peer researcher who is

familiar with the nominee’s work and achievements.

Submission Process & Deadline:

Please email your nominations to sc_malik@rediffmail.com with the subject line: Nomination for IARS Research Excellence Award – 2026. The complete nomination package must be submitted on or before August 31, 2026.

Important Note:

  • The Award Committee’s decision will be final and binding.
  • Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances.
  • The selected awardees will be formally honored during the SMODS-2026 conference.

We warmly invite nominations of deserving researchers whose work demonstrates outstanding excellence and impact. Your participation will contribute greatly to fostering a culture of innovation and scholarly distinction in these vital fields.

For any queries, please do not hesitate to write to us at sc_malik@rediffmail.com.

2. IARS Young Best Research Paper Award-2026

We are delighted to announce the “IARS Young Best Research Paper Award-2026” which will be presented during the International Conference on “Statistical Modelling, Optimization, and Data Science (SMODS-2026)” organized by the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Manipal University Jaipur from October 8-10, 2026, in conjunction with the 10th Convention of IARS.

This prestigious award aims to recognize and encourage outstanding young researchers in the domains of Statistics, Reliability Theory & Modelling, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, and Data Science.

To be eligible, please ensure the following conditions are met:

  1. Age Limit: Applicants must not exceed 35 years of age.
  2. Conference Registration: Applicants must be registered to present their research paper at SMODS-2026.
  3. Consent & Enrollment: Interested participants must send their consent & abstract of the paper to sc_malik@rediffmail.com on or before September 15, 2026, clearly mentioning their Name, Affiliation, Paper Title, and Contact Details.
  4. Enrollment Fee: An additional, non-refundable enrollment fee of Rs. 600/- (Rupees Six Hundred Only) must be deposited to the following IARS account:

Name: Indian Association for Reliability and Statistics (IARS)

Bank Name: State Bank of India

Branch: M.D. University, Rohtak

A/c No.: 33631066233

IFSC code: SBIN0004734

Please email the payment receipt along with your consent for final confirmation of your

participation in this award competition.

  1. Presentation Requirement: Shortlisted candidates will be required to present their papers during a special session dedicated to the award during the conference. The final selection will be based on the quality of the research work and the presentation.

Important Note:

  • The decision of the Award Committee will be final and binding.
  • Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances.
  • The candidates selected for the first three positions will receive a citation along with a cash prize.

Your enthusiastic participation and valuable contributions will make this conference a grand success.

Let us celebrate and promote excellence in research together!

For any queries, feel free to contact us at sc_malik@rediffmail.com

3. SMODS Best Paper Award-2026

SMODS-2026 is committed to encouraging excellence in research, innovation, and scholarly contribution. To acknowledge outstanding work presented at the conference, we are pleased to announce the following awards. Best Paper Awards To promote high-quality research and recognize exceptional academic contributions, one Best Paper Award will be presented in each technical session of the conference. Evaluation Criteria:
  • Originality and novelty of the research
  • Methodological rigor and technical soundness
  • Clarity of presentation and organization
  • Relevance to conference themes
  • Potential for real-world impact or future research
Eligibility & Process:
  • All accepted and presented full papers are automatically considered.
  • A dedicated Review Committee comprising domain experts will evaluate shortlisted papers.
  • Award recipients will be announced during the Valedictory Session.
We look forward to celebrating outstanding research contributions and inspiring a culture of academic excellence!

4. Prof. David D Hanagal Best Research Paper Cash Prize Award in Statistics

SMODS-2026 is pleased to announce the Prof. David D. Hanagal Best Research Paper Cash Prize Award in Statistics to recognize outstanding research contributions by young researchers in the field of Statistics. The award aims to encourage originality, innovation, and excellence in statistical research. Prof. David D. Hanagal Best Research Paper Cash Prize Award in Statistics The award carries a cash prize of ₹5,000 along with a certificate and will be presented to the Best Young Researcher in Statistics.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • The applicant/nominee should be a researcher in Statistics.
  • The applicant must not exceed 35 years of age as on 31st December 2026.
  • The submitted research paper should be in any area of Statistics.
  • The paper must be original and should not have been published or communicated to any journal.
  • The paper must be single-authored.
Submission Process:
  • Eligible candidates should submit their nomination/application to the Chair of the Selection Committee.
  • The application must include a soft copy of the full research paper and an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Submissions should be sent to Prof. S. C. Malik via email at sc_malik@rediffmail.com.
Selection Process:
  • All submitted papers will undergo an initial screening by subject experts in Statistics.
  • The best two or three shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their research during the Annual IARS Conference.
  • The final awardee will be selected based on the quality of the presentation and evaluation by an expert panel of judges.
We encourage eligible young researchers to participate and look forward to recognizing exceptional contributions that advance the field of Statistics.