Lok Sabha Question No. 3277 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: International Collaborations for Indian Researchers
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3277 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09/08/2023

## INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS FOR INDIAN RESEARCHERS

3277.  ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) the measures taken/being taken by the Government is establishing to support international collaborations for Indian researchers, students, and professionals;
- (b) the measures implemented by the Government has implemented to  support  researchers  by  creating  international  opportunities  but also  ensuring  job  security  within  the  country  with  the  aim  of preventing brain drain; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  develop  research  and professional programmes for marginalized and backward classes in order  to  provide  them  with  high  levels  of  education  and  skilled employment possibilities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

FOR THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

राÏयमंğी (èवतंğ Ĥभार)

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ (डॉ. िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a) Government has taken several measures to support international  collaborations  for  Indian  researchers,  students,  and professionals. This includes creating platforms for bilateral cooperation  with  developed  and  developing  countries;  regional cooperation  such  as  with  ASEAN  and  BIMSTEC  and  multilateral cooperation through entities like European Union (EU), Brazil-RussiaIndia-China-South Africa (BRICS), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HSFPO), European Molecular Biology

Organization (EMBO), Mission Innovation etc. Over 750 joint research Science and Technology (S&T) projects with focus on collaborative research  and  about  100  Joint  workshops/seminars/Webinars  were supported during last three years. Mega Facilities for Basic Research scheme of the Government is another platform to support international collaborations in high value research domains.

- (b)       Several measures have been taken to support researchers by creating opportunities such as for exchange of information, generation of new knowledge, sharing of expertise, cost and optimal utilization  of  resources,  and  for  providing  access  to  advanced facilities  and  sophisticated  instruments  which  are  not  available domestically. This in turn enhance the quality and output of scientific research and also enhance job employability. The extramural funding schemes  of  the  Government  for  various  academic  and  research institutions / organizations, industries, Start-ups, entrepreneurs and Fellowship schemes of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT),  Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences, Ministry of Education, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR) and Indian Council of  Agricultural  Research (ICAR)  have been designed to encourage scientists to do quality  research in the country and  thereby preventing brain drain.
- (c) Government has taken several steps to develop research and professional programs for marginalized and backward classes. The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) schemes of  DST  is  to  empower  the  marginalized  communities  through promotion  of  research,  development  and  adoption,  transfer  and dissemination of proven technologies (including delivery of science led  solutions)  to  solve  their  problems,  especially  in  rural  areas through application of S&T. Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science (EMEQ) Scheme provides research support to researchers belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe in undertaking research in frontier areas of science and engineering. These measures provide them with high levels of research, education and skilled employment possibilities.

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