Lok Sabha Question No. 18 (STARRED), answered on 2019-11-18
Subject: DHRUV Learning Programme
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Durga Prasad Rao Balli, Sandhya Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 18 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.11.2019

## DHRUV Learning Programme

* 18. SHRI BALLI DURGA PRASAD RAO:

SHRIMATI SANDHYA RAY:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently launched the Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme DHRUV, if so, the details including its aims and objectives and the guidelines issued in this regard;
- (b) whether the State Governments have been consulted in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  fixed  any  criteria  for  selection  of  outstanding students for the said programme and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of students shortlisted for the programme this year and the funds allocated for the purpose; and
- (e) whether the innovative ideas developed by the students are likely to be used by the Government under the 'Make in India' initiative and if so, the details thereof  along  with  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage talented students to enrich their skills and knowledge?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

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

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  THE  REPLY  TO  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  18*  FOR  18 TH   NOVEMBER,  2019  ASKED  BY  SHRI  BALLI DURGA PRASAD RAO AND SHRIMATI SANDHYA RAY REGARDING DHRUV LEARNING PROGRAMME

(a)  to  (e)  Yes  Sir.  The  Government  has  recently  launched  the  Pradhan  Mantri Innovative Learning Programme- DHRUV to mentor and nurture talented children to enrich  their  skills  and  knowledge  so  that  they  can  realise  their  full  potential  and contribute to society. The programme was launched on 10 th October, 2019 at ISRO, Bengaluru with active participation of State Governments. Selection of 30 students of Science group and 30 students of Performing Arts group has been made by an Advisory Committee headed by the Principal Scientific Advisor  in  consultation  with  the  Department  of  Science  and  Technology,  Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and National Council for Education Research and Training  (NCERT),  Centre  for  Cultural  Resources  and  Training  (CCRT)  and Sangeet  Natak  Akademi,  Ministry  of  Culture.  An  estimated  amount  of  Rs.  3.98 Crore has been allocated for the purpose this year. All  the  60  students were selected from among the students selected under various competitions/examinations i.e. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), Innovation  in  Science  Pursuit  for Inspired Research  (INSPIRE)-  Manak,  Kishore Vaigyanik  Protsahan  Yojana  (KVPY),  Science  Olympiad,  Mathematics  Olympiad, Kala Utsav and Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme etc. During  the  14  days  programme,  structured  activities  were  carried  out  for students  of  Performing  Arts  group  at  National  Bal  Bhavan,  New  Delhi  and  for students of Science group at IIT-Delhi and during evenings, combined activities for both  groups  were  organised.  The  students  were  mentored  and  nurtured  by renowned mentors from IIT- Delhi, Atal Innovation Mission, NCERT, CCRT etc. During  the  valedictory  function  on  23 rd October,  2019,  projects  of  science groups  on  carbon  dioxide  sequestration,  design  and  fabrication  of  nanoscale devices, design and fabrication of novel and affordable particulate matter (PM 2.5) and carbon dioxide sensors were demonstrated by the students. Students from the Performing Arts group presented cultural performances and a joint choir of all 60

students was also presented.

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