Lok Sabha Question No. 1958 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-13
Subject: Ph.D Holders in Science
Ministry: Education
Asked by: M V V Satyanarayana, Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1958

ANSWERED ON 13/03/2023

## Ph.D Holders in Science

1958.  SHRI M.V.V. SATYANARAYANA: SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY: SHRI N. REDDEPPA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  2000  out  of  the  6000  people  granted  science Ph.Ds annually in the country cannot find decent jobs;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  measures  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government to ensure better job opportunities for Ph.D holders, especially in the sciences;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  expand  recruitment  in  Indian  Institutes  of Technology  (IITs)  or  Indian  Institutes  of  Science  Education  and  Research  (IISERs)  for science Ph.D students;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  expand  opportunities  for Ph.D holders in different fields, other than academia to prevent this 'brain drain' considering the  shortage  of  job  opportunities  for  Ph.D  graduates  in  India  is  leading  to  students  going abroad in their search for job?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Dr. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a) to (e): The Ministry of Education is carrying out recruitment of faculty in mission mode in the Centrally funded Higher Educational In  stitutions. 1659 faculty recruitments have been done  in  the  Indian  Institutes  of  Technology  (IITs),  1731  in  the  National  Institutes  of Technology  (NITs)  and  51  in  the  Indian  Institutes  of  Science  Education  and  Research (IISERs).

The government has taken several steps to increase opportunities for Ph.D. scholars. The Department of Science and Technology has informed that as on date, as many as 100 Ph.D. holders receive the Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDFs) in Science and Engineering in the  country.  The  Science  and  Engineering  Research  Board  (SERB)  has  recently  taken  a decision  to  increase  the  number  of  PDFs.  In  addition,  the  SERB-Ramanujan  Fellowship, SERB-Ramalingaswami  re-entry  Fellowship  and  SERB-Visiting  Advanced  Joint  Research Faculty  Scheme  (VAJRA),  etc.  have  been  devised  to  attract  bright  researchers  of  Indian origin to work and contribute to Science Technology and Innovation ecosystem in India.

The  Government  has  also  sanctioned  establishment  of  Research  Parks  at  IITs  Madras, Bombay, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar and IISc Bangalore  to  augment  the  research  ecosystem  in  the  country  to  enable  the  students  to pursue  their  Research  and  Development  (R&D)  interests  in  India,  through  innovative research. setup Innovation and Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurship (IICE) to

Majority  of  students  in  IISERs  pursue  post-doc  studies  after  completion  of  Ph.D. Institutes  have  dedicated  Career  Development  and  Placement  Cells  to  foster  industry, academic linkages which could help in placement opportunities. Some of the IISERs have promote entrepreneurship  among  students  and  faculty  by  initiating  incubation  centre  for  start-ups. IISERs  also  recruit  Ph.D.  graduates  as  faculty  members,  postdoctoral  fellows,  research assistants, technical assistants etc as per the available vacancy positions and requirements. Apart from faculty positions, Ph.D. students also work on research and development projects in  many  higher  educational  institutions/  companies/  industries  in  various  domains  like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, energy etc. Ph.D. holders may also apply for opportunities in R&D organisations of the Government of India and private organisations to have a better opportunity in their career.

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