Background of the Scheme: National Metallurgists Day Awards, was instituted in 1962 by the then Ministry of Steel & Mines to recognize & honour the outstanding contributions of Metallurgists in the metallurgical field covering operation, research, design, education, waste management and energy conservation. The awards are given on an annual basis. The first award was given in the year 1963 and subsequently every year thereafter.
The NMD Awards scheme has been rationalized to National Metallurgist Awards Scheme to enhance the stature of the award in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, as per the directions received from MHA. The details of the National Metallurgist Awards Scheme are given as below: -
Objective of the NMA scheme: To recognize outstanding contribution of metallurgists working in the Iron & Steel sector covering the fields of manufacturing, research, design, education, waste-management, energy conservation and their specific contribution to achieve objectives of ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT.
Mode of Nominations: Nominations for the award are invited on the https://awards.steel.gov.in. Nominations are required to be made through companies/ organizations or from the public through self-nomination.
Date of National Metallurgist Award: 3rd February every year.
Categories and number of Awards under NMA scheme:
| S. No. | Name of Award | No. of Awards | Price Money (INR) |
| 1 | Lifetime Achievement Award | 1 | Nil |
| 2 | National Metallurgist Award | 1 | Nil |
| 3 | Young Metallurgist (Environment Science) | 1 | 100000 |