Lok Sabha Question No. 751 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: SPARK Programme
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 751 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29th November 2024

## "SPARK Programme"

## 751.  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  Studentship  Programme  for  Ayurveda  Research  Ken  (SPARK)  and  the manner it is likely to foster research and innovation within the field of Ayurveda; and

(b)  the  details  of  the  opportunities  it  provides  for  students  to  actively  contribute  towards advancement in Ayurvedic sciences?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) The  Studentship  Program  for  Ayurveda  Research  Ken  (SPARK)  was  launched  in September,  2022  by  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Ayurvedic  Sciences  (CCRAS)  to promote  interest  and  aptitude  for  research  among  Ayurveda  undergraduate  students.  The main objective of this programme is to provide an opportunity to undergraduate Ayurveda students  to  familiarize  themselves  with  Research  Methodology  and  techniques  by  being associated for a short duration by undertaking independent research projects.  The application process for SPARK Programme is completely online and it is for the students of undergraduate Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from 1 st year to 4 th year (before appearing in 4 th year final exams). The value of the studentship is Rs. 25,000/per  month  for  two  months  duration  (Total  Rs.  50,000/-)  only.  In  2022-23  batch,  a  total number of 778 research proposals were received from which 100 proposals were selected through a three tier review system and 95 candidates were awarded studentship on receipt and  acceptance  of  their  final  reports.  In  the  year  2023-2024,  Ministry  of  Ayush  has increased  the  annual  intake  from  100  to  200 in  the  Studentship  Program  for  Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK). This year a total of 2186 students were registered for the SPARK with 615 successful submissions of proposals on the online web portal. On 18/01/2024, the result for the SPARK Batch 2023-2024 has been declared on the SPARK Web Portal and CCRAS Website. Whereby a total of 198 candidates were awarded Studentship on receipt and acceptance of their final reports. For the year 2024-25, the Council has got the approval of the Competent Authority of Ministry of Ayush to increase the annual intake capacity of SPARK from 200 to 300 from the session 2024-25, as a result of the participants' excellent feedback  by  the  Council  under  the  aegis  of  Ministry  of  Ayush.  Currently,  SPARK-03 (2024-25) has witnessed a successful 2161 registrations along 1154 projects submitted on the SPARK web Portal.

(b) The  SPARK  Programme  has  served  as  a  motivation  for  undergraduate  Ayurveda students  to  pursue  research  as  a  career  in  the  future.  This  programme  helps  to  inculcate research aptitude and to establish the groundwork for a high-quality research in Ayurveda by encouraging more undergraduate students to pursue doctoral and post-doctoral research studies. This programme aims to expand the team of brilliant Ayurveda doctors/researchers in the country, who are well trained in good quality research to fulfil the G-20 motives and World  Health  Organization  (WHO)  initiatives  taken  for  Traditional  and  Complementary Medicine and its integration. The students get  experience in conducting a scientific study and preparing research proposals on their own, which will help them in their future career development  as  they  pursue  PG,  Ph.D.,  and  other  research-related  goals.  The  Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) also gains from students' innovative research ideas, which would be utilized for larger-scale research projects with their consent.

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