The International Sericultural Commission (ISC), Bangalore, India, an inter-governmental organization engaged in the development of sericulture and silk industry, has been conferring the prestigious Louis Pasteur Award to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the development of silk industry across the world. Background The Award was instituted in the memory of Sir Louis Pasteur, the renowned Scientist of France. During 1870, Louis Pasteur rescued the silk industry from eradiction from the deadly disease, which was later identified as Pebrine, by developing a preventive technique through simple microscopic examination of adult moths. These developments set the trend for a more mechanized and scientific approach to silk production than existed previously. Since 1974, 35 persons from different parts of the world have been awarded with Louis Pasteur Prize. About the Award Louis Pasteur Award is a life time achievement award and the candidates are selected based on their overall contributions to the silk industry encompassing all its sectoral areas. The award is given away once in three years to three persons selected from across the globe. The Louis Pasteur Award consists of a Citation and a Medal. Award for 2026 The International Sericultural Commission invited nominations from India to consider for the Louis Pasteur award 2026. The nominated candidates should have involved in the development of sericulture and silk industry and shall not be restricted to any specific sectoral areas. India can nominate up-to two candidates for the Award. The candidates will be selected by an Expert Committee among the applications received from interested candidates. Accordingly, applications are hereby invited from interested candidates through proper channel with all relevant details to the Member secretary, Central Silk Board, by 31st July 2026, through E-mail: csbforeignaffairs@gmail.com. The concerned authorities may forward the nominations of interested candidates under their jurisdiction in official letterhead, with suitable recommendations, which shall also include authentication of the claims, along with duly filled in prescribed Application Form, a copy of which is attached. The retired persons may submit their applications directly to the Head Quarters of Central Silk Board along with credible evidences of the claims and self-attested. The Award for 2026 will be presented during the 27th ISC Congress on Sericulture and Silk Industry (ISCC-2026) scheduled to be held at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Chennai, India during 23-27 November 2026. For more details, click here. Related resources Awardees of Louis Pasteur Award