Lok Sabha Question No. 72 (STARRED), answered on 2021-02-05
Subject: Schemes to Promote Science and Technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait, Jugal Kishore Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.72

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05/02/2021

## SCHEMES TO PROMOTE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

72.   SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

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

- (a)      the  details  of  schemes/  programmes  being  implemented  by the Government to promote Science and Technology in the country and the achievements made thereunder, State/UTs wise, particularly in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand;
- (b)      the  details  of  financial  and  technological  assistance  being provided  by  the  Government  under  these  schemes/programmes, State/UT wise; and
- (c)      the  total number of proposals in this regard received by the Union  Government  from  the  Science  and  Technology  Councils  of Bihar,  Jammu  and  Kashmir  and  Jharkhand,  separately  during  the last three years and the current year so far?

## 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) to (c):   A statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.72 FOR 05/02/2021 REGARDING SCHEMES TO PROMOTE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(a)  &  (b):  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  (MoST)  is  implementing  several schemes/programmes  for  promotion  of  Science  and  Technology  (S&T)  in  the country. These schemes and programmes cater to different cross sections of society and promote S&T and Innovation ecosystem through support towards:

- (i)   Research & Development
- (ii)  S&T Institutional and Human Capacity Building,
- (iii)  Innovation,  Technology  Development  and  Deployment  for  socio-economic development

Promotion  of  S&T  across  all  States/UTs  of  the  country  is  accomplished through the three  departments under  the  Ministry  i.e.,  Department  of  Science  and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Department of Scientific and  Industrial  Research/  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research.  These Departments support projects to create S&T infrastructure and manpower, S&T led innovations  and  startups,  technology  development  and  seeding  the  cutting-edge, futuristic areas of S&T to connect and empower following stakeholders:

- (i)       Universities: IITs: R&D institutions
- (ii)       Youth: Students: Scientists, Researchers:
- (iii)      Women Scientists: Scientists of Weaker Segments:
- (iv)      Innovators: Entrepreneurs: Startups
- (v)       Industry: Community based organizations:
- (vi)      State Governments: Ministries:
- (vii)     International connects

DST  plays  a  pivotal  role  in  promotion  of  S&T  in  the  country  and  is  the  key driving  force  for  its  stimulation.  Some  of  the  noteworthy  schemes/programmes  of DST are:

- (i)        Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)
- (ii)       Technology Mission Initiative
- (iii)      State Science and Technology Programme (SSTP),
- (iv)      Science and Society Programme (SSP),
- (v)       Tribal Sub Plan (TSP)
- (vi)      Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP)
- (vii)     Women Scientists Scheme,
- (viii)    Technology Development Programme (TDP)
- (ix)      National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC)
- (x)       Fund for Improvement of S&T (FIST)
- (xi)      Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute (SATHI)
- (xii)     Technology Business Incubators (TBI)
- (xiii)    National Initiative for Development and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)

Apart  from  above  mentioned  schemes,  DST  through  its  Autonomous  Bodies including  Science  and  Engineering  Research  Board  (SERB)  has  taken  numerous initiatives to promote S&T across the country.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has been providing grant for development  /promotion  of  biotechnology  in  various  States  of  the  country.  The support  is  primarily  for  Basic  and  Translational  Research  &  Development  for Agriculture Crop Biotechnology, Basic Inter-disciplinary Biology, Animal Biotechnology, Health, Food and Nutrition including Vaccines, Drugs, Regenerative Medicine,  Bioengineering,  Terrestrial,  Marine  and  Environmental  Biotechnology, Clean  Energy,  System  and  Synthetic  Biology,  Human  Genetics  and  Genome Analysis.  DBT  also  supports  Biotechnology  for  societal  development  to  generate new  knowledge,  leads  and  technologies  to  promote  biotechnology  at  community level.

CSIR through its dynamic network of 38 National Laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes  and  5  units is creating cutting-edge  R&D knowledgebase in diverse S&T areas across the country. The R&D done in these institutions provides significant technological intervention in many areas with regard to societal efforts, which include environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy,  farm  and  non-farm  sectors  that  could indirectly  lead  to  employment generation of youth.

Details of some noteworthy schemes and programmes as mentioned above are enclosed as Annexure I.

The  schemes  and  programmes  of  Ministry  are  in  alignment  with  different components of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and National Development Programmes (NDPs).

There  are  significant  achievements  under  the  schemes  and  programmes  of MoST  under R&D  Infrastructure, Human Capacity Building and Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment for socio economic development.

## Achievements under R&D infrastructure

Ten state-of-the-art national facilities have been established through Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA) Scheme of SERB. In last three  years  SERB  approved  institution  of  4  Cryo-Electron  Microscopy  Facilities  in North, East, West, South regions to create research knowledge base and skills for cryo-EM research and thereby establish leadership in structural biology, enzymology, ligand/drug discovery, and to combat new and emerging diseases.

During the last three years, 6200 publications in SCI Journals were reported and  a  total  of  293  patents  were  filed  from  SERB  funded  projects.  Out  of  these publications, 109 papers were published in Journals of Impact Factor more than 10 and 754 papers in Journals of impact factor between 10 and 5.

Under Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF) programme instruments  that  are  vital  for  pursuing  research  in  many  areas  of  science  and technology  are  established  in  various  academic  institutes,  universities  and  R&D

organizations. Currently, 15 SAIFs  are functioning at various  academic/R&D institutions  in  the  country.  The  achievements  of  the  SAIFs  include  publication  of about 2,500 research papers per year. About 20,000 researchers across the country utilize and get benefited from the facilities provided by the SAIFs every year. About 90% of the users are from academic sector. About 1, 35,000 samples were analyzed at the facilities during the year.

A  new  programme  Sophisticated  Analytical  &  Technical  Help  Institute (SATHI) was initiated in 2019 to create high-end equipment and infrastructure facility necessary for research/ testing/ manufacturing/ fabrication thus providing access and sharing  of  scientific  equipment  and  infrastructure,  capacity  building  of  manpower thus leading to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' (Self Reliant India Campaign).

Under  Fund  for  Improvement  of  S&T  Infrastructure  (FIST)  2912  S&T departments  spread  over  625  Academic  Institutions  and  PG  colleges   were supported  for  strengthening  the  teaching  and  research  infrastructure  with  a  total investment of about Rs 2948 crores. Numerous State-of-the-art research facilities have been established across different R&D organizations throughout the Nation. During  the  last  three  years,  more  than  60,000  researchers  (including  faculty/ research  Scholars/  PG  students)  have  benefited  in  achieving  around  5500 publications.

Ministry  is  also  supporting  projects  in  newer  areas  such  as  Smart  Grids, Offgrids,  Building  Energy  Efficiency,  Alternate  Fuels,  Clean  Coal  Technologies, Clean  Energy  Materials,  Renewable  &  Clean  Hydrogen  in  alignment  with  Clean Energy,  Biomedical  Device  alignment  with  Swasth  Bharat,  Waste  Management  in alignment with Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities.

## Achievements under Human Capacity Building

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme primarily attracts, motivates, nurtures and train talented and meritorious students to pursue science and build career in Research and Development (R&D). The scheme has its presence in most of the States/UTs including Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir  and  Jharkhand.  INSPIRE  has  been  able  to  engage,  encourage  and energize  lakhs  of  science  students  in  last  three  years  details  of  the  scheme  is enclosed as Annexure I:

|   S. No | Component           | Total no Students/scholars supported   |   of Bihar |   J&K |   Jharkhand |
|---------|---------------------|----------------------------------------|------------|-------|-------------|
|       1 | INSPIRE MANAK       | 13,34,422                              |       4623 |  2388 |        4168 |
|       2 | INSPIRE Internship  | 67,880                                 |        150 |  1100 |         200 |
|       3 | INSPIRE Scholarship | 35,082                                 |        102 |    68 |          13 |
|       4 | INSPIRE Fellowship  | 2371                                   |         15 |    45 |          19 |

<!-- image -->

| 5   | INSPIRE Faculty programme 403   | 3   | 6   | 7   |
|-----|---------------------------------|-----|-----|-----|

In  last  three  years,  more  than  1000  women  scientists  with  break  in  career were supported under Women Scientists Scheme across the country to address the challenge of gender equality in R&D.

Under  State  Science  and  Technology  Programme  (SSTP)  of  DST,  Odisha State Council for Science and Technology, Karnataka State Council of Science and Technology,  Tamilnadu  State  Council  for  Science  and  Technology,   Kerala  State Council  of  Science  and  Technology,  Himachal  Pradesh  Council  of  Science  and Technology and Environment (HPCOSTE), Bihar Council on Science and Technology  (BCST) supported,  3000 projects  to  Under  Graduate  students  under its  Student   Project   Programme  (SPP)  to  encourage  their  efforts  in  science  and technology.

Visiting  Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme of SERB offers adjunct / visiting faculty positions to overseas scientists including NRIs to undertake high quality collaborative research in Public funded academic  and  research Institutions  in  India.  More  than  50  accomplished  overseas  scientists  have  been identified and several of them had undertaken multiple collaborative research visits.

## Achievements  under  Innovation  Technology  Development  and  Deployment leading to Socio-economic Development

Department of Science and Technology (DST) is supporting establishment of Technology  Business  Incubators  (TBI)  to  support  innovators  and  entrepreneurs  in setting  up  of  new  ventures  and  startups  and  also  provides  financial  assistance  to early stage startups. From 2016, DST has initiated National Initiative of Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) programme to nurture ideas to prototype with financial  support  of  upto  Rs  10  lakhs  and  a  monthly  fellowship  upto  Rs  30,000  to potential entrepreneurs. These programs have supported nearly 3600 entrepreneurs and has generated 60,000 jobs in last five years.

Department  of  Bio-Technology  (DBT)  through its  Public  Sector  Enterprise Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has initiated several schemes  related  to  Funding,  Incubation  support  and  Capacity  Building  for  the encouragement of the Science and Technology entrepreneurship in the country.

More  than  200 start-ups,  young  entrepreneurs,  small  industries  and 50  BioIncubators were supported through BIRAC. These programmes help in generation of employment  opportunities,  and  self-employment  among  youth  in  this  field  thus leading to the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

In addition to this, the Ministry is also connecting science to society through its cross sectoral approach and schemes designed specifically to cater to the needs of society through field agencies, R&D institutes and Academic universities. Some of the  notable  interventions  are  dyes,  fixtures  and  manually  operated  equipment  for bamboo artisans, region specific, economically effective, Integrated Pest Management  (IPM)  package  for  the  management  of  red  spider  for  tea  farmers,

communication package on sex selection drugs, Eco-friendly package on Phalaenopsis orchid for cultivation in tropical hills etc

The details of the financial assistance under various schemes/projects in last three  years  including  current  year  States/  UT-wise  and  specifically  to  the  state  of Bihar, Jharkhand and J&K may be seen at Annexure II.

## Technological Achievements in J&K

1.       State-of-the-art WHO cGMP Plant has been set up at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu for extraction,  formulation,  packaging  of  medicinal  plant  based  phytopharmaceutical drugs under internationally accepted GMP guidelines..

2. CSIR-IIIM, Jammu  is conducting clinical trials of the following  Ayush formulations:

- (i)    Withaniasomnifera(Ashwagandha)
- (ii)   Tinosporacordifolia(Guduchi)
- (iii)  Glycyrrhiza glabra (Mulethi)

3.      A  vaccine  for  mycoplasmosis  has  been  developed  by,  Sher  e  Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKAUST), to control mycoplasma diseases among small ruminants (sheep & goats) reared by tribals in Ganderbal of Kashmir valley and Kargil district of Ladakh region in J & K.

## Technological Achievements in Jharkhand

1.      CSIR-CIMFR contributed significantly towards Chenani - Nashari tunnel project dedicated to the nation in April 2017.

2.       CSIR-CIMFR  developed  and  patented  coal  dust  collecting  and  briquetting system  and  transferred  the  patented  technology  to  M/s  Tata  Motors  Limited, Mumbai.

3.      CSIR-CIMFR CSIR is certifying the quality of the coal being supplied and used in state-run coal and thermal power companies. The certification helps power plants to use coal appropriate to the machinery and technology available in the plant and contribute to efficient use and, in the long run, reduce emissions

## Technological Achievements in Bihar

Government of Bihar is facilitating proposal to set up world class technological advance Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and School of Planning and Architecture.

(c)       Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  is  supporting  proposals of  Core Grant Support, Mapping of State S&T needs and Patent Information Centers (PIC) at Bihar  Council  on  Science  and  Technology  (BCST),  Jammu  &  Kashmir  State Science,  Technology  &  Innovation  Council  (JKSTTIC)  and  Jharkhand  Council  on Science and Technology (JCST) in last three years. Apart from this Student Project Programme was supported in Bihar by DST, Establishment of Biotechnology parks (One each in Jammu and Kashmir) was supported by DBT, and Establishment of Demonstration Farms (K-5000) in Kupwara District Kashmir is ongoing collaboration

with CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.  JKSTTIC kas submitted proposal for establishment of Skill Vigyan Centers under DBT Skill Vigyan State Partnership Programme to Department of  Biotechnology.  BCST  has  submitted  proposals  to  Department  of  Biotechnology (DBT) under Skill Vigyan Programme (SVP).

## Details of noteworthy schemes and programmes under Ministry of Science and Technology

Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST): The FIST program was initiated to facilitate support towards augmenting higher education and research largely at the different Departments of Universities/  Institutes  and  related  academic  organizations  by  augmenting  basic  infrastructural facilities including Equipment, Networking & Computational facilities, Infrastructure and Maintenance for conducting research in basic or applied science areas. The scheme is currently operating through a four-level support and each level depicts a different quantum of support that is provided depending upon the  type  of  organization  as  well  as  its  existing  R&D  profile  and  future  research  vision.  The program  provides  support  in  all  areas  of  S&T  and  Post  Graduate  Colleges.  The  selection  of  the Departments/  PG  Colleges  is  through  a  peer  review  mechanism  and  visit  to  the  Department,  if necessary. This scheme has so far supported 2912 S&T departments spread over 625 Academic Institutions  and  PG  colleges  (Level  0-480,  Level  1-2175,  Level  2-256  and  Level  3-01)  for strengthening  the  teaching  and  research  infrastructure  with  a  total  investment  of  about  Rs  2948 crores.  Numerous  State-of-the-art  research  facilities  have  been  established  across  different  R&D organizations throughout the  Nation. During  the  last  three  years,  more  than 60,000  researchers (including  faculty/  research  Scholars/  PG  students)  have  benefited  in  achieving  around  5500 publications.

Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE): This program is currently an on-going scheme exclusively for the University Sector being implemented by R&D Infrastructure Division  of  DST  since  2009.  This  program  is  pro-active  initiative  of  DST,  which  has  facilitated  in broadening  as  well  as  creating  excellence  in  the  R&D  base  around  the  performing  Universities  in India. Since the initiation of the program, DST announces quantum of funds to University based on Study  Commissioned  by  DST  for  assessing  the  performance  of  Universities  in  the  country  with respect to their 10 years aggregate Research performance in terms of h-index & Publications through SCOPUS Database. So far, based on 4 different studies, 50 performing universities whose h-index ranging from 70 to 26 have been supported/identified ranging from Rs 30.0 Crore to Rs 6.0 Crore for 4  years  period.  Under  PURSE program, large investments have been made to encourage, nourish and sustain research performance of the leading universities. The grant released in the scheme is for augmentation of research infrastructure at the University level.

Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF): Sophisticated analytical instruments are vital for pursuing research in many areas of science and technology. Broad objectives of this program are (a)  to  provide  facilities  of  sophisticated  analytical  instruments  to  Scientists,  various  academic institutes,  R&D  laboratories  and  industries,  (b)  to  acquire  and  develop  capability  for  preventive maintenance and repair of sophisticated instruments, (c) to generate skilled work-force for handling, repair and maintenance of high-end equipment as well as interpretation of data and (d) to disseminate information about SAIF, its activities and different instruments through short term courses/workshops periodically. The SAIF program is being implemented to provide facilities of sophisticated analytical instruments to research workers in general and especially from institutions which do not have such instruments  to  enable  them  to  pursue  R&D  activities  requiring  such  facilities  and  keep  pace  with development  taking  place  globally.  Currently,  15  SAIFs  are  functioning  at  various  academic/R&D institutions  in  the  country.  Achievements  of  the  SAIFs  include  publication  of  about  2,500  research papers per year. About 20,000 research workers from all over the country utilized and benefited from the  facilities  provided  by  SAIFs  during  the  year.  These  include  research  workers  from  almost  all universities  in  the  country.  About  90%  of  the  users  are  from  academic  sector.  About  1,  35,000 samples were analyzed at the facilities during the year.

Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute (SATHI): This program is envisaged to have facilities for fabrication work,  rapid  prototyping, material  testing,  characterization,  new  device fabrication, smart manufacturing, accreditations and characterization facilities etc., to attract and help R&D labs, industrial R&D, MSME, Incubators and Start-ups, etc. This effort is expected to reach-out to much needed less endowed organizations like MSMEs, Start-ups, State Universities and Colleges

fostering a strong culture of research collaboration between institutions and across disciplines to take advantage  of  developments,  innovations  and  expertise  in  diverse  areas.  It  helps  to  eliminate duplication of expensive equipment. Each SATHI shall ensure that facilities are available at least for 80% of the operational hours (to the External Users and remaining 20% of the time would be made available for Internal Users. The aims of this scheme are: (a) procurement and maintenance of highend equipment and infrastructure facility necessary for research/ testing/ manufacturing/ fabrication. To  cater  service  by  understanding  the  demands  of  researchers,  scientists,  students,  start-ups, manufacturing  units,  industries  and  R&D  Labs,  (b)  Providing  access  and  sharing  of  scientific equipment  and  infrastructure,  (c)  Capacity  building of operators  and  technicians  for  efficient operations  and  interpretations  of  results/  outcome,  (d)  Monitoring  of  usage  of  expensive  scientific research infrastructure for maximum utilization of Infrastructure Management with efficient operations and to be a part of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' (Self Reliant India Campaign). The SATHI Scheme has been launched in the latter half of 2019.

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE): The Government is implementing INSPIRE  to  attract,  motivate,  nurture  and  train  talented  and  meritorious  students  to  study  science subjects  and  opt  for  careers  in  Research  and  Development  (R&D)  to  build  a  pipeline  of  quality manpower, thereby widening the R&D manpower base of the country.

INSPIRE-MANAK  (Million  Minds  Augmenting  National  Aspiration  and  Knowledge),  is  targeted  to attract  young  school  students  in  the  age  group  of  10-15  years  to  pursue  science  and  career  in research through creative and innovative thinking. The nominations are received from schools across the  country  through  online  portal  E-Management  of  INSPIRE  Award  Scheme  (E-MIAS).  One  lakh shortlisted ideas receive an initial award of Rs. 10000 /- each, through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to prepare project/model/showcasing of idea. Top 60 innovations are selected through National Level Exhibition for further support.

INSPIRE  Internship  provides  exposure  to  top  1%  students  of  Class  X  Board  examination pursuing science in XI Standard through Science Camps organized during summer or winter. These camps offer an opportunity to 50,000 students to interact with Science icons from India and abroad, including Nobel Laureates.

The Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) component of INSPIRE encourages meritorious students  within  top  1%  cut-off  marks  at  the  Class  XII  Board  (State  or  Central)  examinations  or  in selected national level competitive examinations like IIT-JEE, etc.  to study basic and natural sciences in  B.Sc.  and  M.Sc..  The  scheme  offers  12,000  (10,000  Direct  Mode  +  2000  Institutional  Mode) scholarships/year to meritorious students in the age group 17-22 years @ Rs 0.80 lakh per year.

The  INSPIRE  Fellowship  under  INSPIRE  Scheme  offer  1000  Fellowships/year  to  bright students in the age group of 22-27 years to pursue Ph.D. in Basic and Applied Sciences including Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. Fellowship is offered to (i) students who secure 1 st Rank and 70% marks in University-level PG examinations in India or 1st Rank Holders in Graduate/Post-graduate  level  examination  in  Medicine  conducted  by  a  university/  institution  in India;  or   ii)  INSPIRE-SHE  Scholars  who  secure  minimum  70%  marks  (or  CGPA  equivalent)  in aggregate in their M.Sc. or Integrated M.S./M.Sc. level examinations, eligible for admission to a Ph.D. Programme  in  any  recognized  university/academic  institution  of  the  country.  The  Fellowship  is provided for a maximum of 5 years (2 years as JRF and 3 years as SRF) to pursue a full-time Ph.D. programme. For the first two years, INSPIRE Fellows are granted fellowship amount of Rs.31,000/pm +  HRA  +  Contingency  grant  of  Rs.20,000/year.  After  evaluation  of  two  years'  research  work,  an INSPIRE Fellow can be promoted as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) and paid fellowship amount of Rs.35000/pm + HRA + Contingency grant of Rs.20,000/year.

The  INSPIRE  Faculty  Fellowship  under  INSPIRE  provides  100  fellowships  every  year  to young achievers with Ph.D. qualification in the age group of 27-32 years for independent research for 5 years to carry out post-doctoral research in both Basic and Applied Sciences including Engineering, Medicine,  Agriculture  and  Veterinary  Sciences.  A  fellowship  of  Rs.  1,25,000/-  p.m.  with  annual increment  of  Rs.2000/year  and  a  research  grant  of  Rs.7  lakh  per  annum  is  given  to  the  selected candidate.

The scheme has its presence in most of the States/UTs including Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand. It has been able to engage 13,34,422 students under MANAK programme; 67,880 students  under  INSPIRE  Internship;  35,082  students  under  INSPIRE  Scholarship;  2371  students under  INSPIRE  Fellowship  and  403  young  researchers  under  INSPIRE  Faculty  programme  in  last three years including this year.

Technology  Mission  Initiative  :Department  of  Science  and  Technology  (DST)  is  promoting research, development and innovation in the field of clean energy and water through its Technology Mission  Initiatives  in  all  states  of  the  country  including Bihar,  Jammu  &  Kashmir  and  Jharkhand. Currently,  newer  areas  such  as  Smart  Grids,  Offgrids,  Building  Energy  Efficiency,  Alternate  Fuels, Clean  Coal  Technologies,  Clean  Energy  Materials,  Renewable  &  Clean  Hydrogen  are  being supported.

State  Science  and  Technology  Programme  (SSTP):  Government  of  India,  established  State Councils for Science & Technology to attain developmental goals of the State and the Country using Science and Technology (S&T). The Ministry of Science and Technology, started providing budgetary support for  Scientific  and  Technical  Secretariat  at  State  S&T  Councils  during  Ninth  Five  Year  Plan (1997-2002) to accelerate S&T activities for overall socio-economic development at the State level under State Science and Technology Programme (SSTP). Currently, 28 State S&T Councils/UTs are being supported under this programme including Bihar Council on Science and Technology (BCST), Jammu   &  Kashmir  State  Science  ,  Technology  &  Innovation  Council  (JKSTTIC)  and  Jharkhand Council on Science and Technology (JCST). The initiatives undertaken by State S&T Councils under SSTP  are  broadly  Science  &  Technology  Innovation  Initiatives,  S&T  Application  and  Science Popularization Programmes.

Under Science and Society Programme (SSP),Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) and Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), development and promotion of S&T is being undertaken for the benefit of people at grassroots  through  various  field-based,  action-oriented  projects.  These  programs  integrate  S&T primarily to enhance livelihood opportunities and quality-of-life of different cross section of the society, through adaptive research, capacity building and skill development at local level. The broad areas of support  include  Agriculture  (including  horticulture,  aquaculture,  fisheries,  livestock  and  other  allied activities), Resource Management, Microenterprise Development, Art & Craft, Post-Harvest Technologies, Health, Nutrition, and Engineering.

DST is  also  nurturing  young  researchers  to  use  new  and  emerging  technologies  such  as  Artificial Intelligence,  Robotics  etc  under  the  Scheme  for  Young  Scientists  and  Technologists  (SYST)  to address the challenges pertaining to society through adaptive R&D. These young researchers were able to develop several technology packages of interventions to address the challenges and needs of various  cross-sections  of  the  society.  Some  of  the  notable  interventions  are  Dyes,  fixtures  and manually operated  equipment's  for bamboo  artisans, Region  specific, economically effective, Integrated  Pest  Management  (IPM)  package  for  the  management  of  red  spider  for  tea  farmers, communication  package  on  sex  selection  drugs,  Eco-friendly  package  on  Phalaenopsis  orchid  for cultivation in tropical hills etc

Several Coordinated Network Programmes aimed at holistic development of socially disadvantaged section  of  the  communities  through  application  of  S&T  interventions  are  also  undertaken  under Science and Society initiative of DST.

Women Scientists Scheme: In order to address the challenges faced by women scientists after a break  in  career,  necessitated  by  marriage,  childbirth  and  other  familial  responsibilities,  DST  is supporting  a  Fellowship  scheme  for  Women  in  Science.  The  scheme  encourages  women  to undertake research projects in various S&T streams comprising of Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences,  Life  Sciences,  Earth  &  Atmospheric  Sciences,  Engineering  &  Technology  and also  projects  having  societal  relevance.  The  scheme  has  successfully  provided  opportunity  to  over 5000 women, who had a substantial break in career after obtaining at least a Masters' degree in any of  the  above  mentioned  streams  to  conduct  R&D  and  enhance  their  research  skills  and  expertise. Under this program, more than 30% of these women were able to get permanent positions in various S&T institutions; over 45% were awarded Ph.D. degrees during the project tenure.

Technology Development Programmes (TDP) :Department of Science and Technology has been implementing  Technology  Development  Programmes  (TDP)  to  facilitate  conversion  of  proof-ofconcepts for technologies/ techniques/ processes/products into advance prototypes for validation and demonstration  in  field  settings.  Investigators  are  encouraged  to  involve  industry  while  working  on technology development projects.

National Children's Science Congress (NCSC) encourages child scientists across the country in the  age  group  of  10-17  years  to  identify  some  societal  problems  and  motivate  them  to  present possible solution and its analysis through working models and prototypes. NCSC covers almost all the districts of the country with a participation of over 500,000 students.  Through a process of evaluation, best of  promising ideas  and projects are shortlisted for presentation at State level in  all the  States including Bihar, Jharkhand and J&K

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics  and  Medicine (STEMM):  India activities comprise  of  Science  fairs,  melas,  expositions,  mobile  science  exhibitions,  lecture-demonstrations, interactive  media,  visits  to  S&T  establishments  like  labs  and  industry,  hands-on-STEMM  activities, and so on. These events, whether stationary or mobile, including mobile science exhibitions, serve to utilize  the  expertise  of  resource  persons  trained/being  trained  by  NCSTC  in  various  aspects  of  the concerned activities.  More than 34 static and mobile exhibitions were organized in different parts of the country including Bihar, J&K andJharkhand.

Science  and  Engineering  Research  Board  (SERB):  Science  and  Engineering  Research  Board (SERB) under DST  is a premier national research funding agency working to raise the quality and footprint  of  Indian  science  and  engineering  to  the  highest  global  levels  in  an  accelerated  mode, through calibrated support for research and development. SERB is implementing following schemes in all the States/UTs for promotion of S&T:

- i)  Core  Research  Grant  (CRG):  The  CRG  scheme  provides  research  support  to  an  individual researcher  or  a  group  of  researchers  working  in  a  recognized  academic  institution  or  national laboratory or in other recognized R & D institution in India.
2. ii)  Start-up  Research  Grant  (SRG):  The  SRG  scheme  aims  to  assist  researchers  to  initiate  their research career in a new institution for two years. Research grant of Rs. 30 lakh plus overheads for a period of two years is provided under SRG.
3. iii)  Empowerment  and  Equity  Opportunities  for  Excellence  in  Science:  The  Scheme  ensures enhanced  participation  of  weaker  sections  of  the  society  in  research  and  development.  Under  this scheme funding is provided up to a maximum of Rs. 50.0 lakh (excluding overhead charges) for a maximum period of three years.

## iv) Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA)

The  IRHPA  program  supports  proposals  in  high  priority  areas  where  multidisciplinary/  multiinstitutional expertise is required to bring India at international science map.

## v) Mathematical Research Impact Centric Support (MATRICS)

MATRICS provide fixed grant support in the area of Mathematical Sciences as it is overlooked field with few researchers. The Scheme provides research grant of Rs. 2 lakh p.a. for a period of three years.

## vi) National Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The SERB-National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) motivates young researchers through grant-in aid for doing research in frontier areas of science and engineering. The selected fellows work under a mentor, and are provided fellowship for a period of 2 years.

## vii) SERB Women Excellence Award

In  order  to  bring  gender  parity  and  acknowledge  the  efforts  of  women  researchers  in  R&D,  SERB Women Excellence Award is presented to women scientists below 40  years of age and  who have received  recognition  from  any  one  of  the  National  Academies.  These  women  researchers  are supported with a research grant of Rs. 5 lakh per annum for a period of 3 years.

## viii) Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme

The Scheme aims to tap the expertise of Overseas Faculty / scientists including Non-resident Indians (NRIs) & Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) for collaborative research in frontier areas of S&T including the interdisciplinary areas of national priorities such as energy, water, environment, health, security, nutrition, waste processing, advanced  materials, high performance computing, cyber-physical systems,  smart  machines  and  manufacturing,  etc.  This  collaboration  would  stimulate  the  latent potential of our academic and research sector as the VAJRA faculty would be physically available for 1-3  months  in  Indian  institutions  and  co-guide  Ph.D.  students  in  India  thus  strengthening  the ecosystem of Indian S&T through experience and knowledge sharing.

No. of projects supported State/UT wise in last 3 years including current year

| S.No.   | State and Union Territories   |   No. of Proposals |   Total Cost (in Rupees Crore) |
|---------|-------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| 1       | Andaman & Nicobar Islands     |                  2 |                         0.74   |
| 2       | Andhra Pradesh                |                193 |                        82.793  |
| 3       | Arunachal Pradesh             |                 20 |                         7.43   |
| 4       | Assam                         |                195 |                       103.172  |
| 5       | Bihar                         |                 68 |                        27.04   |
| 6       | Chandigarh                    |                125 |                        44.04   |
| 7       | Chhattisgarh                  |                 52 |                        15.49   |
| 8       | Dadra And Nagar Haveli        |                  0 |                         0      |
| 9       | Daman & Diu                   |                  0 |                         0      |
| 10      | Delhi                         |                602 |                       398.238  |
| 11      | Goa                           |                 60 |                        22.615  |
| 12      | Gujarat                       |                181 |                        89.4751 |
| 13      | Haryana                       |                 99 |                        44.855  |
| 14      | Himachal Pradesh              |                 77 |                        24.695  |
| 15      | Jammu & Kashmir               |                127 |                        57.79   |
| 16      | Jharkhand                     |                116 |                        43.225  |
| 17      | Karnataka                     |                587 |                      2406.41   |
| 18      | Kerala                        |                291 |                      2095.87   |
| 19      | Lakshadweep                   |                  0 |                         0      |
| 20      | Ladakh                        |                  1 |                         0.48   |
| 21      | Madhya Pradesh                |                198 |                        84.41   |
| 22      | Maharashtra                   |                615 |                       317.35   |
| 23      | Manipur                       |                 25 |                        10.38   |
| 24      | Meghalaya                     |                 39 |                        17.9809 |
| 25      | Mizoram                       |                 20 |                        12.25   |
| 26      | Nagaland                      |                 18 |                         7.1    |
| 27      | Odisha                        |                233 |                        90.6835 |
| 28      | Puducherry                    |                 48 |                        25.64   |
| 29      | Punjab                        |                230 |                       116.46   |
| 30      | Rajasthan                     |                170 |                        75.52   |
| 31      | Sikkim                        |                  7 |                         4.69   |
| 32      | Tamil Nadu                    |                808 |                       469.92   |
| 33      | Telangana                     |                443 |                      4618.49   |
| 34      | Tripura                       |                 12 |                         4.32   |
| 35      | Uttar Pradesh                 |                566 |                       309.115  |
| 36      | Uttarakhand                   |                148 |                        82.17   |
| 37      | West Bengal                   |                636 |                      6935.5    |
|         | Total                         |               7012 |                     18646.3    |

|   S.No. | State and Union Territories   |   No. of Proposals |   Total Cost (in Rupees Crore) |
|---------|-------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------------------|
|       1 | Bihar                         |                 68 |                         27.04  |
|       2 | Jammu & Kashmir               |                127 |                         57.79  |
|       3 | Jharkhand                     |                116 |                         43.225 |

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