Lok Sabha Question No. 4039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Nano Science and Nano Technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI, RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4039 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23/12/2015

## NANO SCIENCE AND NANO TECHNOLOGY

## 4039. SHRI KESINENI NANI:

## SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA :

Will the Min i ster of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó Ùðüëðó be pleased to state:

- (a) wh ether the Government has taken/ proposes to take any step to encourage nano science and nan technology in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether certain nano -particles can be harmful to humans and if so, the regulatory framew established by the Government to tackle the problem;

(c) the targets set and the achievements made so far during the last three years and the cur in relation to the National Mission    on Nano -Science and Technology;

(d) whether the  Government  is  providing  adequate  measures  for  the  development  of  the  Natio Mission's activities; and

- (e) if not, the reasons therefor along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)

òãðìððÐð ¡ðøÜ ÑßðøÌðð÷ò±ð¨îó ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó +ÉÉè® ÑðöÆãðó òãðìððÐð ÙðüëððâðÚð Ùð÷ü Üð¸Úð Ùðüëðó (gÉÉÒ ´ÉÉ<Ç. AºÉ. SÉÉèvÉ®ÉÒ)

(a) Yes, Madam. Realizing that Nano Science is a knowledge -intensive    area of research and that nano  technology  would  emerge    as  an  'enabling  technology' ,   which  would  influence  wide  range  of products and proc esses with far reaching implications for national economy and    national develop the  Government  of  India  launched  Nano  Science  and  Technology  Initiative  (NSTI)  in  October  200 promote Research & Development (R&D) in Nano Science and Technology, almo st at the same time as some of the developed nations of the world. On 3 rd May 2007, the Government of India launched the Nano Mission,  as  an  'umbrella  capacity -building  programme'  for  5  years  (Phase - I).  Impressed  by  the achievements of Nano Mission, the Go vernment has also approved its continuation in the 12 th Plan Period (Phase - II).

The Nano Mission has supported a variety of programmes such as Individual Scientist -Centric Projects,  Units  on  Nano  Science,  Centres  of  Nano  Technology,  Thematic  Units  of  Exce llence,  Joint Institute - Industry linked Projects, Post -Graduate Programmes and Post - Doctoral - Fellowships, International  Collaborations,  etc.  A  whole  range  of  sophisticated  characterization  facilities established.  Nano  Mission  has  also  enabled  ass ured  access  of  Indian  scientists  to  frontline  synchro radiation  facilities  in  the  world.  The  Government  has  also  set  up  an  Institute  of  Nano  Sc Technology at Mohali, Punjab. As a r esult of all these steps, India today is placed 3 rd in the worl d in terms of  scientific  publications.  Some  very  useful  technologies  for  drinking  water  purification, - held explosive  detection  devices,  antimicrobial  textiles,  antimicrobial  ointments  etc.  have  come  ou country.

To further   push  technology -related programmes in future, the Nano Mission plans to suppor applied technology development projects targeting different stages of technology development.

(b) Studies on harmful effects of nano particles on human are being carried out both nationally and internationally. There are no specific regulatory frameworks for nanotechnology globally as of keeping with the global trends, various agencies of the Government are promoting studies on to various  kinds  of  nanoparti cles,  development  of  standards  and  policy  frameworks  for  laying  down regulatory  framework  roadmap  for  nanotechnology  in  India.  In  the  meantime,  various  nano -enabled products are being governed by their parent regulations like those for drugs, chemicals, pesticides etc.

(c) The targets set and achievements made so far during the last three years and the current relation to the National Mission on Nano Science and Technology are given in the Annexure.

(d) Yes, Madam. The Government has accordedhigh priority to the Nano Mission as described i reply to part (a) above.

(e) Does not arise.

Contd..3 / -

## ANNEXURE

| Targets for 2012 -13, 2013 - 14, 2014-15 & 2015 - 16 till 18.12.2015   | Achievements/ Activities supported 2012-13, 2013 -14, 2014 - 15 & 201 5-16 till 18.12.2015                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Basic Research Promotion                                               | 117 Individual Scientist -Centric R&D projects 2 Centres of Excellence                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Human Resource Development                                             | 3 new PG programmes and continued support to 2 old PG programmes 14 Post Doctoral Fellowships 2 Biennial Nano-India Meets 20 National and International Conferences Nano Science and Technology (NS&T) Visiting Associateships - approved NS&T Overseas Visiting Fellowships - approved                              |
| Research Infrastructure Development                                    | 3 Research Facilities and continued s upport to 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| International Collaboration                                            | India -Japan beam line project at Photon Factory, Tsukuba, Japan India - PETRA III Collaboration at Hamburg,Germany Indo-Canada Exchange Programme Scheme for utilization of synchrotrons/neutron abroad Access to Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Appleton Laboratory, UK - project finalized.                   |
| Orchestrating National                                                 | DialoguesProject for strengthening of Nano - Standards Related Work at the national level Guidelines for Safe Handling of Nan om terials developed Efforts towards development of National Regulatory Framework Roadmap for Nanotechnology continued                                                                 |
| Nano Applications & Technology Development Programme (NATDP)           | 1 Nanotechnology Business Incubator 2 Centres for Nanotechnology 1 JointInstitute -Industry Linked project finalized 3 Proof of Concept (POC) Projects finalized. Formats and guidelines developed for Proof of Value (POCV) Projects, Technology Demonstration Projects (TDPs) Technology Commercialization (TCPs). |

Budget  allocated  for  2012 -13,  2013 -14,  2014 - 15  and  2015 - 16  was  Rs.  300  crores  (RE  Figures)  and expenditure as on 18.12.2015 is Rs.270.45 crores.

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