Lok Sabha Question No. 2210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Young Scientist Research Programme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2210 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23/09/2020

## YOUNG SCIENTIST RESEARCH PROGRAMME

## 2210.  SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted/planning to conduct any programme  to  encourage  young  scientists  to  engage  themselves  in  scientific activities/undertake research work;
- (b)    if so, the main characteristics of the Young Scientist Research Programme along with the details of funds allotted and utilized 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 and other eligibility criteria for availing the benefits under this programme and the details of achievements made under this programme so far;
- and
- (d)     whether scholarship or any other special incentives are being provided by the  Government 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 ( डॉ . हष वधन )

(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  of  Science  and Technology  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  Start-up  Research  Grant  (SRG)  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,  Har  Gobind Khorana- Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award of DBT etc. 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 providing 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. Funds allocated / utilized exclusively for young scientist research programmes during 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and the current year by the Ministry of Science and Technology are Rs. 1197.7 crore, Rs. 1290.3 crore, Rs. 1344.2 crore and Rs. 1127.5crore, respectively.

- (c)         The  age  limit  and  other  eligibility  criteria  for  availing  benefits  of  some  of  the notable young scientist schemes are given below:

| Scheme/ Programme (Department /Agency)   | Upper age limit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | Other eligibility criteria for the applicant                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| INSPIRE Faculty Fellow (DST)             | 32 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST categories. 42 years for persons with benchmark disability. Indian citizens and people of Indian origin with PIO status having PhD degree from any recognized university in the world. Candidates shall possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks throughout their academic profile starting from Higher Secondary Examination. Those who have submitted their PhD theses and are awaiting the award of the degree are also eligible | 32 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST categories. 42 years for persons with benchmark disability. Indian citizens and people of Indian origin with PIO status having PhD degree from any recognized university in the world. Candidates shall possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks throughout their academic profile starting from Higher Secondary Examination. Those who have submitted their PhD theses and are awaiting the award of the degree are also eligible |
| National Postdoctoral Fellowship (SERB)  | 35 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Should be an Indian citizen. The applicant must have obtained Ph.D/M.D/M.S degree or have submitted PhD/M.D/M.S thesis.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 35 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Should be an Indian citizen. The applicant must have obtained Ph.D/M.D/M.S degree or have submitted PhD/M.D/M.S thesis.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Start-up Research Grant (SERB)           | 42 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to Should be an Indian citizen. Foreign Nationals (including PIO, OCI) working as regular employee in any of the public funded and recognized R&D laboratories/institutions in India are eligible to apply                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 42 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to Should be an Indian citizen. Foreign Nationals (including PIO, OCI) working as regular employee in any of the public funded and recognized R&D laboratories/institutions in India are eligible to apply                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

|                                                      | SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories                                                                       | in collaboration with an Indian scientist, provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria notified by SERB. Should hold Ph.D. degree in Science or Engineering or M.D. / M.S. / M.D.S. / M.V. Sc. degree. Should hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution or national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institutions. Should apply within two years of joining the institution.                                          |
|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Ramanujan Fellowship (SERB)                          | 40 years                                                                                                                | Open to brilliant Indian scientists and engineers working abroad. The applicant should possess a higher degree or equivalent, such as Ph.D. in Science/ Engineering, Masters in Engineering or Technology/ MD in Medicine, etc. and have adequate professional experience.                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence (SERB) | 28-40 years                                                                                                             | Junior Research Fellowships are awarded to candidates holding BS-4 years program/BE/B. Tech/B.Pharma/MBBS/ Integrated BS-MS/M.Sc. or Equivalent degree/BSc (Hons) or equivalent degree holders or students enrolled in integrated MS-Ph.D program with at least 55% marks for General & OBC (50% for SC/ST candidates, Physically and Visually handicapped candidates) after qualifying the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by CSIR.                        |
| Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship (DBT)             | 45 years                                                                                                                | Should possess a PhD/MD or equivalent degree with an outstanding track record. Only candidates (Indian nationals) working overseas are eligible to apply. Those who have already returned to India within one year of the closing date of this advertisement but without a job are also eligible.                                                                                                                                                                     |
| Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (DBT)         | 35 years of age with relaxation of 5 years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories | Should be an Indian citizen with excellent academic credentials. Should have a PhD in any branch of life sciences, computational sciences (applied to biotechnology, medicine or biological sciences), veterinary sciences, pharmaceutical sciences and agricultural sciences. Master degree holders in medicine or dentistry (MD/MS/MDS or IMC designated equivalent) and engineering/technology (M.Tech or AICTE designated equivalent) are also eligible to apply. |

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 recognition in the form of awards, membership in science and engineering academies and have continued to contribute significantly towards India's science and technology.

(d)       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 had been enhanced 24-35% with effect from 1 st January 2019.

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