Lok Sabha Question No. 2541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-06
Subject: National Science Programme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2541 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/03/2020

## NATIONAL SCIENCE PROGRAMME

## 2541. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

be pleased to state:

- whether the Government is working on major national science programmes to be
- (a) rolled out this year and the subsequent years and also called upon scientists in the country to take up an additional task of stewardship of the planet, which is   facing  multiple challenges;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and progress made in this regard;
- whether most of the national science and technology missions announced by the Government in the recent months are fast taking shape and, if sO, the details thereof and progress made therein so and far;
- (d) whether four city science-clusters are being formed in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, the National Capital Region and Pune; which will serve as hubs that connect 'bi-directionally" with State universities and less resourced locations around; if s0, the details thereof and progress made with funds sanctioned and spent s0 far? along

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR: HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) & (b): Yes Department of Science & Technology has initiated several new schemes for this year and subsequent years These include some women centric schemes such Vigyan Jyoti, Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) and Science and Technology resource portal for women: The scheme <Vigyan Jyoti" aims to provide Sir,

- as an online a ladder to sustain career in science and technology domain with interventions from school to PhD and post-doctoral level in under represented areas girl $

The objective of the  programme SGATT" is to develop a Charter for Gender Equality in Science,  Technology, Engineering; Mathematics   (STEM) for India and gender framework The Portal is expected to provide E-resources  related to all women specific government schemes, scholarships, fellowships, career counselling and details of subject area experts from various disciplines of science and technology:

unique initiative called "Scientific Social  responsibility" has been taken up to reach out to stakeholders of science and society at large with all the tools, knowledge; manpower and infrastructure of S&T in the universities, ReD labs, IITs etc Science   &Engineering Research Board has initiated 4 scheme called SSERBSUPRA to promote transformative and disruptive research proposals based on innovative and unproven hypotheses, possessing a high degree f uncertainty, having confidence to produce a lasting impact across discipline boundaries. major programme for generating High Resolution National Topographic Data Base (HRNTDB) using advanaced technology like Drone/Lidar/Optical sensors technology has been initiated to produce digital data at 10 cm accuracy: Another mega programme called   "Sophisticated Analytical & Technical   Help Institutes (SATHI)" has been launched to provide shared, professionally managed services and strong Science and Technology infrastructure facilities, with efficiency, accessibility and transparency of  highest order under one roof to service the demands of all stakeholders. (c) Two Missions have been announced by the Government recently. These are the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (MN-ICPS) and National Mission on Quantum Technology and Applications (NM-QTA) Both these missions are fast taking Under MN-ICPS, action for establishing Technology Innovation Hubs has already been initiated; A High Level Committee has been set-up under the   Chairmanship of Vice Chairman NITI Aayog to examine and  suggest modalities towards   establishing   City Science and Technology Clusters in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune High-level Committee on Science and Technology Clusters is exploring  setting up of Knowledge and Innovation Clusters, to begin   with, in the four cities of  Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) yet shape: City city