Lok Sabha Question No. 2407 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Encouraging Young Scientists
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: ANSHUL VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2407 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30/11/2016

## ENCOURAGING YOUNG SCIENTISTS

## †2407.  SHRI ANSHUL VERMA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

## òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó

- (a) whether the Government is taking due measures to encourage young scientists to take up research work;

(b) the  main  characteristics  of  young  scientist  research  programme  together with  the  details  of funds allotted for this purpose during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) the required age group for obtaining benefit from this programme and the details of achievements made under this programme so far;

- (d) whether the Government is offering any special plan 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. CHOWDARY)

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)

- (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 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 for young scientist research programmes during 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and the current year by the Ministry of Science and Technology are Rs. 804.0 crore, Rs. 763.3 crore, Rs. 951.57 crore and Rs. 967.2 crore respectively.
- (c) The required age group for obtaining benefit from the following popular young scientist schemes are: upper age limit of 35 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged/Women categories for National Postdoctoral Fellowship; upper age limit of 35 years for Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Fellowship Schemes, upper age limit of 32 years with relaxation of  three  years  to  applicants  belonging  to  SC/ST  categories  for  Innovation  in  Science  Pursuit  for  Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Faculty Scheme and upper age limit of 40 for Rapid Grant for Young Investigators Scheme. A large 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 and received recognitions in the form of awards, membership in academies etc.
- (d) & (e):  Yes, Madam. CSIR provides Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship to the toppers of CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted every year. Thematic Fellowship programmes in Solar Energy, Building Energy Efficiency 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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