Lok Sabha Question No. 287 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-22
Subject: Space Innovation Centres
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA, KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.287

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

## SPACE INNOVATION CENTRES

- *287.   SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA: DR. KIRIT P. SOLANKI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  set  up  Space Innovation  Centres  in  collaboration  with  the  Indian  Space as  to  encourage  young researchers keen on exploring space technology and if so, the
- (a) Research  Organisation (ISRO) so details thereof;
- (b) whether such centres are proposed to be a part of Universities and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the mechanism  in  place  for  covering  the costs institutions;
- of  such
- (d) the  system  for  ensuring  transparency  and  accountability  in such research institutions; and
- (e) the  initiatives  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  and promote interests in space research/space related fields especially amongst the youth?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) to  (e)  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO INNOVATION CENTRES' ASKED BY SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA AND DR. KIRIT P.

STARRED QUESTION NO.287 REGARDING 'SPACE SOLANKI FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017.

(a), (b), (c) & (d)

As on date, there is no plan to setup Space Innovation Centres in the country.

However, DOS/ ISRO has a specific programme named Sponsored Research (RESPOND), which is intended for encouraging academia  and  young  researchers  to  participate  in  research activities  and  promote  quality  research  in  Indian  universities/ institutes in wide range of areas with respect to space technology, space science and space applications. Under RESPOND programme, ISRO has also set up Space Technology Cells at premiere institutions like Indian Institute of Technologies  (IITs)  -  Bombay,  Kanpur,  Kharagpur  &  Madras; Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and Joint Research Programme with University of Pune (UoP) to carry out research activities in the areas of space technology and applications.

- (e) Department  of  Space  (DOS)  has  taken  following  initiatives  to encourage and promote interest in space science and research amongst the youth:
- (i) The space science and planetary missions, viz. Chandrayaan-1, Mars  Orbiter  Mission,  ASTROSAT,  were  undertaken  by  ISRO  to renew the interest of young minds towards space science.
- (ii) ISRO  -  Space  Science  Promotion  Scheme  (ISRO-SSPS),  started during  2008-09  period,  is  an  initiative  towards  supporting  and

strengthening of research in space sciences in the universities. Under this scheme, ISRO has been providing funding support to eight  universities  for  strengthening  academic  activities  and augmenting  laboratory  facilities.    The  salient  features  of  the meritorious and honorarium  and  travel  support  for  visiting  scientists  /  guest

- scheme includes M.Sc / M.Tech fellowship to students, one time grant for laboratory augmentation faculties.
- (iii)  Planetary  Exploration  (PLANEX)  program  has  been  supporting research  activities  at  universities  and  research  institutions  to conduct studies in planetary sciences and exploration and allied
- fields.
- (iv)  ISRO/  DOS  sponsors  a  symposium  'National  Space  Science Symposium (NSSS),' conducted once in two years to provide a scientific  forum  for  the  presentation  of  new  results  and  to discuss recent developments in space science, planetary exploration  and  ground-based  astronomy  programmes/  projects being pursued at various research institutions and universities in India.
- (v)  ISRO's Sponsored Research (RESPOND) Programme also encourages Junior  Research  Fellows  and  young  researchers  to participate  and  contribute  in  various  space  programme  related research activities.
- (vi)  Department of Space regularly organizes workshops, exhibitions and outreach programmes to create excitement amongst students in space science and technology.

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