Lok Sabha Question No. 3357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Funds for Research in basic Science in HEIs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Indra Hang Subba

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3357

ANSWERED ON-16/12/2024

## Funds for Research in basic Science in HEIs

## 3357. Dr. Indra Hang Subba:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  specific  schemes  to  facilitate  research  in  basic science in higher education institutes, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the amount of research grants made available for tribal students during the last five years; and
- (c) the number of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes students studying in higher education institutions  established  in  Sikkim  by  availing  research  fellowship  during the last five years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (c): Recognising research as a core requisite for quality education, National Education Policy  (NEP  2020)  exhorts  Higher  Education  Institutes  (HEIs)  to  focus  on  research  and innovation by setting up start-up incubation centres; technology development centres; centres in  frontier  areas  of  research;  greater  industry-academic  linkages;  and  interdisciplinary research including humanities and social sciences research.

Government has taken several steps for promoting quality of research in various fields including basic sciences. Some of the key programmes for promotion of research ecosystem in the country includes- Prime Minister's Research Fellowships (PMRF), Impacting Research Innovation  and  Technology  (IMPRINT),  Uchchatar  Avishkar  Yojana  (UAY),  Scheme  for promotion of Research and Academic Collaboration (SPARC),  Scheme for Transformational and  Advanced  Research  in  Sciences  (STARS)  etc.  by  Ministry  of  Education;    INSPIRE Fellowship  and  INSPIRE  Fellowship  components  of  "Innovation  in  Science  Pursuit  for Inspired  Research  (INSPIRE)  by  Department  of  Science  and  Technology;    Biotechnology Research  Innovation  and  Entrepreneurship  Development  (Bio-  RIDE)  by  Department  of Biotechnology etc.

Further,  'Anusandhan  National  Research  Foundation  Act,  2023'  was  notified  to establish  the  Anusandhan  National  Research  Foundation.  Anusandhan  National  Research Foundation,  an  apex  body  has  been  envisaged  to  provide  high-level  strategic  direction  for research, innovation  and  entrepreneurship  in the fields of natural sciences including mathematical sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences, health and agriculture. It also seeks to promote scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences. Total estimated cost of Anusandhan National Research Foundation for five years is Rs. 50,000 crores.

For imparting education and research in the areas of basic sciences, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) have been envisaged and established as premier institutes across the country. As on date, 7 IISERs are functioning across the country. Further, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru is a premier Institute, which imparts world-class higher education in science and engineering.

In  the  state  of  Sikkim,  National  Institute  of  Technology  (NIT)  and  a  Central University i.e. Sikkim University is established by the Government of India. The amount of fellowships  and  research  grants  are  disbursed  to  all  the  eligible  students,  including  that  of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as per the norms of the respective schemes.

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