Lok Sabha Question No. 4596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: UGC New Initiative – STRIDE
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4596 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## UGC New Initiative - STRIDE

4596. KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  approved  a  new  initiative  Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research for India's Developing Economy (STRIDE) to boost research culture in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, along with its objectives/salient features;

- (c)  whether  the  scheme  will  strengthen  research  culture  and  innovation  in  colleges  and Universities  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  areas  identified  for  funding  under STRIDE;
- (d)  the  schemes  being  implemented  by  UGC,  with  a  view  to  encourage  research  and development in the country; and
- (e) whether NITI Aayog has recommended for restructuring of the UGC and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c):  Yes, Sir. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the Scheme for Trans-disciplinary  Research  for  India's  Developing  Economy  (STRIDE)  to  boost  research culture in the country.

STRIDE provides support to research projects that are socially relevant, locally needbased, nationally important and globally significant. The scheme supports research capacity building as well as basic, applied and transformational action research that can contribute to national  priorities  with  focus  on  inclusive  human  development.  It  also  provides  creation, development  and  integration  of  new ideas,  concepts  and  practices  for public  benefit  and strengthening the society. The focus on Humanities and Human Sciences provides to boost quality research on Indian languages and knowledge systems.

(d):  With  the  view  to  encourage  research  and  development  in  the  country,  the  UGC  has various schemes namely: BSR Faculty Fellowship, Emeritus Fellowship, Dr S. Radhakrishnan  Post  Doctoral  Fellowship  in  Humanities  (scheme  initiated  in  2015-16),  Dr D.S.  Kothari  Post  Doctoral  Fellowship,  Post  Doctoral  Fellowship  for  SC/ST,  Post  Doctoral Fellowship  for  Women,  Junior  Research  Fellowship  in  Science,  Humanities  and  Social Sciences,  Basic  Science  Research  Fellowship,  Swami  Vivekananda  for  Single  Girl  Child fellowship for Research, Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students (Scheme entrusted & funded by Ministry of Minority Affairs), National Fellowship for Students of Other Backward Classes (OBC) ( Scheme entrusted & funded by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (Scheme entrusted & funded by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), Special Assistance Programme, Major Research Project  and Minor Research Project.

(e):  NITI  Aayog  has  recommended  to  replace  the  existing  regulatory  bodies  with  a  single apex regulator.

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