Anil Bhardwaj, Head of the Planetary Sciences Branch at Space Physics Laboratory of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum, India, has been awarded Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for the year 2007 in the discipline "Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences" for pioneering contributions in the field of Planetary and Space Science.

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize, the most coveted national recognition for scientists and engineers below 45 years of age, is given by the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for outstanding contributions to the field of Science and Technology. In addition to other scientific contributions, the CSIR in particular cites Bhardwaj for his fundamental contributions and creative ideas to elucidate X‑ray emissions from the planetary bodies in the solar system, and intensive international collaborative research.

The prize comprises of a citation, a plague, and a cash award of Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two Hundred Thousand) and will be given by the Honorable Prime Minister of India at a formal function.