Lok Sabha Question No. 103 (STARRED), answered on 2019-06-28
Subject: Young Scientist Research Programme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Lallu Singh, Hemant Tukaram Godse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.103

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28/6/2019

## YOUNG SCIENTIST RESEARCH PROGRAMME

- †*103. SHRI LALLU SINGH: SHRI HEMANTTUKARAM GODSE:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGY वान और ौयोगक मंी pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is conducting any programme to encourage young scientists to engage themselves with scientific activities/undertake research work;
- (b) if so, 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 and if not, the future plan of the Government in this regard;
- (c) the  age  limit  for  availing  of  the  benefits  from  this  programme  and  the  details  of  achievements made under this programme so far; and
- (d) whether the Government is offering any special plan or scholarship under this programme, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

वाय और परवार कयाण मंी ; वान और ौयोगक मंी ; और पृ वी वान मंी (bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

- (a) to (d):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.103 ON 28/6/2019 REGARDING YOUNG SCIENTIST RESEARCH PROGRAMME

- (a) & (b):  Yes, Sir. Government has instituted several schemes/programmes aimed at encouraging young scientists to engage themselves with scientific activities / undertake research work. Some of the notable programmes of the Ministry targeted at young scientists include: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) of Department of Science and Technology (DST), National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) and Early Career Research Award (ECRA) of  Science  and  Engineering  Research  Board  (SERB),  Research  Fellowship  Schemes  of  Council  of  Scientific  and Industrial  Research  (CSIR)  and  Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT),  Research  Associateship,  R&D  project  based Project Associates, Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award of DBT etc.

In  addition  to  above  dedicated  schemes,  participation  of  young  scientists  in  main  stream  research  support schemes of SERB is as high as 37% in case scientists below the age of 40 and 65% for scientists below 45 years, which demonstrates their vibrancy,  competitiveness  and  contribution to  Indian  Science.  Ease  of funding,  speed  of  delivery, attractive fellowships, access to best research infrastructure and knowledge resource pool, recognition and mentoring in some schemes are some of the characteristics of the young scientist research programmes. The schemes are designed to identify  promising  young researchers and provide them with training and research opportunities in  areas of science, engineering  and  mathematics.  The  schemes  also  provide  them  a  platform  to  develop  as  independent  researchers  for taking  up  challenging  research  problems  for  the  benefit  of  the  country.  The  funds  allocated  exclusively  for  young scientist research programmes during 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and the current year by the Ministry of Science and Technology are Rs. 1163.6 crore, Rs. 1182.5 crore, Rs. 1283 crore and Rs. 839.4 crore respectively.

- (c) The required age limit for availing the benefits from the following popular young scientist schemes are given below:

| Scheme / Programme                                        | Age group: Upper age limit of                                                                                        |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| INSPIRE Faculty Fellow Scheme (DST)                       | 32 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST categories                                  |
| National Postdoctoral Fellowship (SERB)                   | 35 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories  |
| Early Career Research Award (SERB)                        | 37 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories |
| Ramanujan Fellowship (SERB)                               | 45 years                                                                                                             |
| Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence (SERB)      | 45 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories  |
| CSIR Fellowship Schemes                                   | 35 years                                                                                                             |
| Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship (DBT) Innovative Young | 45 years 35 years of age with relaxations of                                                                         |
| Biotechnologist Award(DBT)                                | 5 years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories                                 |
| National Women Bioscientist Award (DBT)                   | 45 years                                                                                                             |

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, regular placement in academic / research institutions and industry. They also received recognitions in the form of awards, membership in science and engineering academies and have continued to contribute significantly towards India science and technology.

- (d) Yes, Sir. The fellowships, awards as mentioned above offer liberal financial support in the form of fellowship ranging from Rs. 31,000/- to Rs. 1,35,000/- per month to scientists who are not in regular service, depending upon their qualification and nature of the scheme. The fellowship of research personnel (Junior / Senior Research Fellow, Research Associate) engaged in R&D Programmes of the Central Government Departments / Agencies has been enhanced 2435% with effect from 1 st January 2019.

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