Lok Sabha Question No. 2631 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Assistance to Educational Institutions
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2631 ANSWERED ON 11/12/2024

## ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

†2631.  Smt. Kamlesh Jangde:

Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi:

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

- (a) whether the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  provide  assistance  to  the educational  institutions  to  promote  research  and  innovation  in  science  and technology;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  impact  of  research  and  development  measures  on  the  increasing performance of students in the educational institutions; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to promote research and innovation in science and technology in educational institutions in Rajasthan and Sakti district in Chhattisgarh?

## 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) to (b): Yes, The Department of Science & Technology ( DST ) plays a vital role in  strengthening  scientific  infrastructure  across  the  nation,  by  establishing scientific facilities in educational Institutions to promote research and innovation through  its  schemes  like  Fund  for  Improvement  of  S&T  Infrastructure  in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST), Promotion of University Research  and  Scientific  Excellence  (PURSE)  and  Consolidation  of  University Research  for  Innovation  and  Excellence  (CURIE),   Sophisticated  Analytical Instrument  Facilities  (SAIF) and  Sophisticated  Analytical  &  Technical  Help Institutes  (SATHI)  scheme.  DST  also  provides  assistance  to  the  educational institutions to promote innovation in science and technology under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), for establishment of incubation  centres.  DST  is  implementing  National  Mission  on  Interdisciplinary Cyber  Physical  Systems  (NM-ICPS)  and  established  25  Technology  Innovation Hubs (TIHs) in reputed institutes across the country in advanced technologies like Artificial intelligence and machine learning, Internet of Things, Robotics, Cyber Security etc.

Erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) {now Anusandhan  National  Research  Foundation  (ANRF)}  has  set  up  Cryo-Electron Microscopy  (Cryo-EM)  facilities  to  strengthen  the  research  and  innovation  in structural  biology  and  drug  discovery  etc.  at  Indian  Institute  of  Technology, Chennai, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay  and  Indian Institute of

Technology, Kanpur and the fourth facility is under development at Bose Institute, Kolkata.

The Department of Biotechnology's (DBT) through its schemes namely DBT Boost to University Interdisciplinary Life Science Departments for Education and Research Programme (DBT-BUILDER), DBT - Scientific Infrastructure Access for Harnessing Academia University Research Joint Collaboration (DBT-SAHAJ) and Star College also extended infrastructure support to augment Life Sciences and Biotechnology research activities in academic institutions to promote research and innovation.

The Ministry of Science and Technology also actively supported numerous extra mural individual research and development (R&D) projects across academic and research institutions through its various schemes. These initiatives aim to strengthen the creation of science and technology infrastructure and promotes research & innovation in science.

- (c) The Ministry of Science & Technology have created a robust ecosystem that supports the growth and development of students in scientific field. By providing financial support, enhancing infrastructure, and offering opportunities for pursuing quality research, the Ministry of Science  &  Technology  has  significantly contributed to the performance of students in scientific domain in the educational institutions.  India's  scientific  workforce  has  expanded  significantly  by  various funding schemes like Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN), Innovation  in  Science  Pursuit  for  Inspired  Research  (INSPIRE),  Prime  Minister Research Fellowship, and various fellowships schemes from Council of Scientific and  Industrial  Research  (CSIR),  Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT),  other scientific departments and erstwhile SERB (now ANRF).

The  emergence  of  quality  publications  from  educational  &  research institutions  are  indicators  of  enhanced  performance  and  improved  researchcapabilities  of  the  critical  mass  in  academic  institutions.  DST  contributed significantly for country's overall performance in R & D and innovation landscape.

- (d) Yes, In the year 2022-2023, DST has announced a special call under PURSE scheme  for  the  few  unserved  regions  including  the  States  of  Rajasthan  and Chhattisgarh  to  provide  basic  research  facilities  for  promoting  research  and innovation activities  in  new and  emerging areas. Manipal University, Rajasthan and Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Chhattisgarh was supported under this call. Also, Amity University, Rajasthan, University of Rajasthan and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh were supported under the PURSE scheme.

Over  the  past  three  years  through  FIST  Program,  research  facilities  of various science departments of 8 academic institutions in the State of Rajasthan and 6 academic institutions in the State of Chhattisgarh were strengthened.

Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) under NM-ICPS, were established at Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan and Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani.

Erstwhile  SERB  (Now  ANRF)  has  sanctioned  274  projects  to  promote research and innovation in science and technology in educational institutions in Rajasthan. In Sakti district of Chhattisgarh, no project has been sanctioned so far.

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