Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Award Scheme for various Ministries/Departments, Banks/Financial Institutions and Public Sector undertakings of the Government of India for outstanding achievement in implementation of the official language policy of the government was introduced in 1986-87. Under this scheme, three Awards i.e. first, second and third are given to each large and small Ministries/Departments of the Government of India. The award for the year 1996-97 under the large Ministries/Departments category was given to the Ministry of Environment & Forests by His Excellency, the Vice President of India, Shri Krishan Kant to Shri Vishwanath Anand, Secretary (E&F) in a special function held on 14th May, 1999 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
It may be mentioned here that under the Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Award scheme, this Ministry was also awarded third prize of outstanding work performance in Hindi and implementation of the official language policy.