Lok Sabha Question No. 1962 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Decline in Research Work
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1962 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9/03/2016

## DECLINE IN RESEARCH WORK

## 1962. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI: SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ A´ÉÆ |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the research work in the field of Science is declining in the country;
- (b) if so, the facts thereof for the last three years including current year;
- (c) whether the Government is making any plan for advancement of scientific research by promoting indigenous talented scientists;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the number of persons granted financial assistance for the same during the above period? ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ A´ÉÆ |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ (bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. India's performance in research is promising and impressive in recent years which is evident from the fact that India's position globally in scientific publications, as per Scopus database, has improved from 12 th  position in 2005 to 6 th position in 2013 with a growth rate of 13.4% as against the world average of 4.4% during 2005-2013. In the field of nanoscience and technology, India's position has moved from 6 th in  2011 to 3 rd   in  2013. Recent report of Springer Nature has indicated that India is ascending towards world-class science and our country is at 13 th position globally on an index of world-class scientific journals. Between 2012 and 2014, Indian Chemistry research increased rapidly with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6% and it stood second only to the United States of America in terms of number of publications.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Government has instituted many schemes to promote indigenous talent of scientists for advancement of scientific research in the country. The Swarnajayanti Fellowship and Innovation in Science  Pursuit  for  Inspired  Research  (INSPIRE)  Faculty  Scheme  of  Department  of  Science  and Technology (DST), J.C Bose Fellowship of Science and Engineering Research Board and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar  Prize  instituted  by  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research  (CSIR)  are  meant  for recognition of indigenous talent and outstanding contribution of scientists to science and technology by Indian scientists. Young Scientist Medal/Award of Academies and CSIR are designed to identify talented scientists. Some other measures taken by the Government to attract more and more talented scientists towards advancement  of research include successive increase in plan allocations for Scientific Departments,  offering  attractive  research  fellowships,  strengthening  infrastructure  for  Research  and Development (R&D) and implementing programs like Nano Mission, Solar Energy Research Initiative etc. A total of 22100 persons has been granted financial assistance by the DST and Department of

- (e) Biotechnology during the last three years including current year.

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