The prestigious award was conferred by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) to honour Chockalingam, who has served as professor and researcher in criminology in University of Madras and is Vice President of World Society of Victimology.
He also worked as Chair Professor of criminal law at the National Law University (NLU) in Delhi from 2012-14.
According to IIPA, of which he was a member, Chockalingam was honoured for his services to the institute and to the field of public administration.
He is also the founder and president of Indian Society of Victimology since 1992 and International Advisor of Tokiwa International Victimology Institute, Japan since 2003.
The award by IIPA is a tribute to Paul Appleby, a noted author of works in the field of public administration who helped in developing the vision of the institute in the early years of its founding.