Lok Sabha Question No. 1825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Encouraging Scientists to take Research Work
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1825 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26/07/2017

## ENCOURAGING SCIENTISTS TO TAKE RESEARCH WORK

†1825. SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

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

(a) whether  the  Government  is  taking  adequate  measures  to  encourage  young  scientists  to  undertake  research work and if so, the details thereof; (b) the main features of young scientist research programme and the amount of funds allocated during each of the last three years and the current year; (c) the  details  of  the  age  related  eligibility  to  avail  the  benefits  of  this  programme  and  the  details  of  the achievements made under the said programme so far; (d) whether the Government is 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)

(a) Yes,  Madam.  Government  has  taken  several  measures  to  encourage  young  scientists  to  undertake  research work.  The  schemes  /  programmes  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.  Some  of  the notable programmes of the Ministry targeted at young scientists include: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research  (INSPIRE),  National  Postdoctoral  Fellowship  (N-PDF),  Early  Career  Research  Award  (ECRA),  Research Associateship, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Fellowship Schemes etc. These schemes provide a platform for young scientists to develop as independent researchers; and thereby elevating the S&T landscape of the country. (b) Ease  of  funding,  speed  of  delivery,  attractive  fellowships  etc.  are  some  of  the  characteristics  of  the  young scientist  research  programmes.  The  funds  allocated/released  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. 807.6 crore, Rs. 1083 crore, Rs. 1322.9 crore and Rs. 248.4 crore (first quarter of  FY 2017-18)  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  N-PDF;  upper  age  limit  of  37  years  with  relaxation  of  three  years  to  applicants  belonging  to SC/ST/OBC/Physically  Challenged/Women  categories  for  ECRA;  upper  age  limit  of  35  years  for  CSIR  Fellowship Schemes and upper age limit of 32 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST categories for INSPIRE Faculty Scheme. 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, fellowship 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.
- ********