Lok Sabha Question No. 877 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-07
Subject: Encouraging Young Scientists to Take up Research Work
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: VISHNU DAYAL RAM

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Government has instituted several schemes/programmes aimed at enhancing the research capabilities of young scientists  and  provide  a  platform  to  develop  them  as  independent  researchers;  and  thereby  elevating  the  S&T landscape of the country. The schemes are designed to identify promising young researchers with innovative ideas and provide them with training and research opportunities in niche areas of basic science and engineering. Ease of funding, speed of delivery, attractive fellowships etc. are some of the characteristics of the young scientist research programmes. The  funds  allocated  exclusively  for  young  scientist  research  programmes  during  2014-15,  2015-16,  2016-17  and  the current year by the Ministry of Science and Technology are Rs. 785.1 crore, Rs. 1039.6 crore, Rs. 1136.9 crore and Rs. 1068.1 crore respectively.
- (c) The required age groups for obtaining benefit from the following popular young scientist schemes are given below:

| Scheme / Programme Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Faculty Scheme of Department of Science and Technology (DST)   | Age group: Upper age limit of 32 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST categories    |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| National Postdoctoral Fellowship of Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)                                                               | 35 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories  |
| Early Career Research Award of SERB                                                                                                             | 37 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories |
| Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Fellowship Schemes                                                                         | 35 years                                                                                                             |
| Research Associate Scheme of Department of Biotechnology (DBT)                                                                                  | 40 years and 45 years for women candidates                                                                           |

A  number  of  quality  publications  in  high  impact  journals  and  patents  have  emanated  from  the  Young  Scientist's projects.  The schemes have helped many young researchers in the progress of their career in S&T, got appointment in academic  and  research  institutions  and  received  recognitions  in  the  form  of  awards,  membership  in  science  and engineering academies.

- (d): Yes, Madam.
- (e): CSIR provides Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship to certain top ranking JRF- National Eligibility Test (NET) qualified candidates to nurture the budding scientific talent and to nourish the objective of pursuit of scientific research. Thematic Fellowship programmes in Solar Energy, Building Energy Efficiency Higher & Advanced Network, Bioenergy  and  Water  Research  have  been  initiated  by  DST  to  support  young  faculty  and  research  scholars  for conducting research in US R&D and academic institutions.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.877 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7/2/2018

## ENCOURAGING YOUNG SCIENTISTS TO TAKE UP RESEARCH WORK

## †877. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is taking appropriate measures for encouraging young scientists to take up research works;
- (b) the  salient  features  of  Young  Scientists  Research  Programme  along  with  the  amount  allocated  for  this programme during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (c) the age related eligibility to avail the benefits of this programme and the details of the achievements of this programme till now;
- (d) whether the Government has started any special scheme or providing any special scheme or scholarship under this programme; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI Y.S. CHOWDHARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó

(gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)