Lok Sabha Question No. 4062 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: KIRAN Programme for Women
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dharmendra Kumar Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4062 ANSWERED ON 19/03/2021

## KIRAN PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN

## 4062.  SHRI DHARMENDRA KASHYAP:

Will  the  Minister of  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY वान और ौयोगक मंी be pleased to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  has  launched  Knowledge  Involvement  in  Research Advancement  through  Nurturing  (KIRAN)  programme  for  encouraging  women  in  the field of science;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)     the funds allotted for said programme in current financial year?

## 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 पृवी वान मंी ( डॉ . हष वधन )

- (a)  &  (b)      Yes,  the  Department  of  Science  and  Technology  (DST)  has  started 'Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN)' Scheme in 2014-15  to  encourage  women  in  the  field  of  Science  and  Technology(S&T)  through gender  enabling  programs.  'Women  Scientist  Scheme'  under  KIRAN  provides  career opportunities  to  unemployed  women  scientists  and  technologists,  especially  those who had a break in career. There are three major components of Women Scientists Scheme  namely,  i)  Women  Scientists  Scheme-A  (WOS-A)  for  conducting  research  in Basic  &  Applied  Sciences,  ii)  Women  Scientists  Scheme-B  (WOS-B)  for  research projects  that  entail  S&T  interventions  for  societal  benefit  and  iii)  Women  Scientists Scheme-C  (WOS-C)  enables  them  to  become  Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) professional.  The  Mobility  programme  has  been  introduced  under  KIRAN  to  address relocation issue of working Women Scientists. Further, 'Indo-US Fellowship for Women in  STEMM'  (Science,  Technology,  Engineering,  Mathematics  &  Medicine)  programme provides  opportunities  to  Indian  Women  Scientists,  Engineers  &  Technologists  to undertake  International  collaborative  research  in  premier  institutions  in  the  USA  for duration  of  3-6  months.  Under  KIRAN,  institutional  support  is  also  provided  through 'Consolidation  of  University  Research  through  Innovation  and  Excellence  in  Women Universities  (CURIE)'  Programme  in  order  to  enhance  women's  participation  in Research  &  Development  activities  in  S&T  domain.  The  'Science  &  Technology  for Women'  Scheme  is  focused  on  empowering  women  in  livelihood  generation  through suitable technologies and available natural resources in their native areas, which has led to income generation and creation of livelihood opportunities for them.

The DST has started a new programme 'Vigyan Jyoti' for meritorious girl students of Class 9 to 12 in order to increase participation of women in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and mathematics), especially in the fields where women are underrepresented. Another new initiative of DST 'Gender Advancement for Transforming  Institutions  (GATI)'  has  been  started  during  2019-20  which  aims  to transform  institutions  for  more  gender  sensitive  approach  and  inclusiveness  with ultimate goal to improve the gender equity in S&T domain.

- (c)     The fund allocated for KIRAN Scheme in current financial year is Rs. 95.00 Crore (Revised Estimate).

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