Lok Sabha Question No. 4209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-07
Subject: Research and Higher Research and Higher Studies
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: VINCENT H PALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.01.2019

## 'Research and Higher Studies'

## 4209.  SHRI VINCENT H. PALA:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote research and higher studies in social sciences;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of grants and funds released for advancement of the same?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a)  to  (c)  :    Yes,  Madam.  Social  Science  research  in  India  is  largely  funded  by  the Government of India and its agencies such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR),  New  Delhi  and  the  UGC.  The  Government  has  taken  several  steps  to  promote research and higher studies in social sciences such as:

- (i) Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS) Scheme: The Scheme has been recently launched with a total cost of Rupees 414 Crore for implementation up to 31.03.2021.  Under the Scheme, 1500 research projects will be awarded for 2 years to  support  the  social  science  research  in  the  higher  educational  institutions  and  to enable research to guide policy making. The focus of research will be on (11) broad thematic areas such as : State and Democracy, Urban transformation, Media, Culture and  Society,  Employment,  Skills  and  Rural  transformation,  Governance,  Innovation and Public Policy, Growth, Macro-trade and Economic Policy, Agriculture and Rural Development,  Health  and  Environment,  Science  and  Education,  Social  Media  and Technology,  Politics,  Law  and  Economics.  The  Indian  Council  of  Social  Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, which is an autonomous body under the Ministry, has been given the responsibility for implementing the above scheme.

Further, during the year 2018-19, the Government has released Rupees 104.58 Crore as  grant-in-aid  to  ICSSR,  New  Delhi  for  promoting  social  science  research  through various  Fellowships,  Research  Projects;  seminars  and  conferences;  training  and capacity building programmes for young researchers and faculties.

(ii) UGC is running a scheme namely JRF in Science, Humanities & Social Sciences with the aim to provide opportunities to National Eligibility Test (NET)/Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)- qualified candidates to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil/ Ph.D Degree in Humanities  and Social Sciences including Languages and Sciences. During the last  3  years,  19379  JRF  fellowships  have  been awarded through UGC-NET for research in Social Sciences.

UGC  is also running  a  scheme  namely  Swami  Vivekananda  Single  Girl  Child Fellowship for research in Social Sciences with an aim to compensate direct costs of higher education especially for such girls who happen to be the only girl child in their family. During the last 3 years, 172 fellowships have been awarded.  During these 3 years total amount of Rupees 8.48 Crore are released for the Scheme.

Further, the UGC has a scheme 'Major Research Projects' meant for University/College Teachers (included under Section 2 (f) & 12 (B) of the UGC Act, 1956)  through  which  Research  Projects  are  awarded  for  promotion  of  Indian Languages/Humanities, for which Rupees 85.39 Crore has been released by UGC in last five years.

- (iii) Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC): The Scheme has been launched with a total cost of Rupees 418 Crore upto 31.03.2020 for improving  the  research  ecosystem  of  India's  higher  educational  institutions  by facilitating academic and research collaborations between top ranked Indian Institutions  and  Foreign  Institutions  in  the  thrust  area  of  fundamental  research including Social Sciences Research.

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