Lok Sabha Question No. 398 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Young Scientist Research Programme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 398 ANSWERED ON 24/07/2024

Young Scientist Research Programme

## 398. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी मंत्री pleased to state:

be

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  implementing  Young  Scientist  Research Programme;
- (b) if so, whether there has been any corresponding increase in the number of patent filings, patent approvals, number of research papers published and increase in impact factor of research papers of India with increase in funding under the said programme;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor and the remedial steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार)

(डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह)

- (a) Yes, the Government is implementing various Research Programmes for Young Scientists. The brief description of the programmes is given below: Brief of programmes implemented by DST
1. INSPIRE  Faculty  Fellowship,  a  component  of  Innovation  in  Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme provides an opportunity to the meritorious researchers  to develop  independent  scientific profile(s) by  providing  them  attractive  fellowship  and  continuous Research Grant for a period of five years.
2. Scheme  for  Young  Scientists  and  Technologists  programme  (SYST) focusses  on  encouraging  young  scientists  and  technologists  to  work towards  delivery  of  science  and  technology  (S&T)  led  solutions  for identified socioeconomic challenges.

## 3. Brief of programmes implemented by Erstwhile SERB

- i. Start-up Research Grant (SRG) programme aims to aid researchers in initiating research careers in a new institution. It is meant to enable researchers  to  establish  themselves  and  move  on  to  mainstream research grants. The support comprises a flexibly structured research grant of Rs. 30 lakh plus overheads for a period of two years.
- ii. National  Postdoctoral  Fellowship  (NPDF)  programme  is  designed  to support  and  foster  highly  potential  young  researchers  in  leading research  labs  with  accomplished  mentors.  The  support  consists  of fellowship of Rs. 55,000 per month plus HRA, a research grant of Rs. 2 lakh per annum and overhead for a period of two years.
- iii. Ramanujan Fellowship offers support to brilliant Indian scientists and engineers returning from all over the world to pursue their research career in India. This fellowship supports young researchers below the age  of  40  years  with  a  proven  outstanding  track  record.  The Ramanujan Fellows can work in any of the scientific institutions and universities  across  the  country.  The  amount  of  fellowship  offered under the scheme is Rs. 1,35,000 per month with a research grant of Rs. 7 lakh per annum and overhead charges of Rs.60,000 per annum for a period of five years.
- iv. Teachers  Associateship  for  Research  Excellence  (TARE)  scheme intends to facilitate the mobility of faculty members working in state universities, colleges and private academic institutions to carry out research in established public funded institutions such as IITs, IISc, IISERs, NITs, national institutions and central universities, preferably closer  to  the  institution  where  the  faculty  member  is  working.  The support  consists  of  a  research  fellowship  of  Rs.  60,000  per  annum subject to completion of a minimum of 90 days of research work per year  in  the  host  institution  and  a  research  grant  of  Rs.  5  lakh  per annum and overheads.

## Brief of programmes implemented by DBT

Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is supporting integrated Human Resource Development Programmes for young scientists/faculty/students/fellows working  in  areas  of  Biotechnology.  The  details  of  HRD  Programmes  are mentioned below:

1. DBT-Junior Research Fellowship Programme (DBT-JRF): Department is providing fellowships for pursuing doctoral research in Indian universities and / or research institutions in the country. The students are selected through Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) conducted at national  level.  There  is  a  provision  for  500  fellowships  per  year.  Age

- Limit: Up to 28 years of age as on the last date of application for General & EWS category.
2. DBT-Research Associateship Programme  (DBT-RA):  DBT  Research Associateship programme provides fellowship for post doctoral research in frontier areas of Biotechnology and life sciences at premier institutions in India. There is a provision for 100 fellowships per year. Age Limit: The upper age limit is 40 years for male candidates and 45 years in the case of female candidates.
3. Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship Programme: Ramalingaswami Reentry  Fellowship  aims  to  attract  high  quality  Indian  brains  working abroad to pursue their research interests in life sciences, biotechnology and other related areas in India. Currently, Department is providing 75 fellowships per year. Age Limit: The upper age limit for application is 45 years.
4. Har  Gobind  Khorana-  Innovative  Young  Biotechnologist  Fellowship Programme: This fellowship was instituted by the Department in 2005. This is a career-oriented fellowship to identify and nurture outstanding     young scientists/ faculty (regular) with innovative ideas who  are  desirous  of pursuing research  in the frontier areas  of Biotechnology. There is a provision for 15 fellowships per year. Age limit: Not  more  than  35  years  of  age  on  the  last  date  of  submission  of application.
5. MK Bhan - Young Researchers Fellowship Programme: The Department has launched a new grant opportunity, the MK Bhan Young Researcher Fellowship  Programme  (MKB-YRFP)  in  year  2020-21,  with  an  aim  to encourage young bright researchers to continue their research in the country after PhD. The scheme is to offer an independent research grant of Rs 20.00 lakh/year and a fellowship amount of Rs 90,000/- month to young post-doctoral Fellows for 3 years to enable them to emerge as future leaders and take up cutting edge research focused on issues of national relevance. This fellowship is being awarded for research work to  be  carried  out  at  DBT  -Autonomous  Institutes  only.  Currently, Department is providing 50 fellowships per year.

(b) & (c) : These schemes are designed to encourage young scientists to pursue cutting edge research in the field of Science and Technology. The schemes  have  contributed  significantly  towards  building  human  resource capacity  in  scientific  R&D.  It  is  observed  that  quality  of  S&T  output  is significant for 'young scientist research programmes' as reflected in data on patent filings/approvals, research papers. Most of these research papers were published in National/ International peer reviewed journals, which have impact factor.  The  details  of  funds  allocated,  publications  published  and  patents filed/granted under various programmes/schemes implemented by Ministry of Science and Technology are furnished in table 1 and 2.

Table1: DST implemented Young Scientist Research Programmes

| Schemes/Programmes implemented by DST   |   Funds allocated (in Cr) |   Publications published |   Patents filed/granted |
|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|
| SYST                                    |                     19.93 |                      213 |                      69 |
| INSPIRE                                 |                    188.94 |                     2095 |                      61 |
| Erstwhile SERB                          |                    602.11 |                     7041 |                     287 |

Table 2: DBT implemented Young Scientist Research Programmes

| Schemes/Programmes implemented by DBT                                     | Funds allocated (in Cr)   |   Publications published |   Patents filed/granted |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|
| Har Gobind Khorana- Innovative Young Biotechnologist Fellowship Programme | 7.91                      |                       90 |                       3 |
| MK Bhan - Young Researchers Fellowship Programme 22.23                    |                           |                       71 |                      10 |
| DBT-Research Associateship Programme (DBT-RA)                             | 38.51                     |                      134 |                       4 |
| DBT-Junior Research Fellowship Programme (DBT-JRF)                        | 159                       |                      633 |                      12 |
| Ramalingaswami Re- entry Fellowship Programme                             | 163.64                    |                      513 |                      35 |

Various programmes/schemes implemented by different agencies show that increased funding has led to a rise in the number of publications and granted patents. It is pertinent to mention that the number of publications, patents depends on the nature of S& T work.

- (d) Not Applicable.

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