Lok Sabha Question No. 2478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Social Science Research
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: C.R. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2478 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9.5.2016

## Social Science Research

## 2478. SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of Human Resource Development be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  promote  social  science  research  in  higher educational institutions particularly in Central Universities in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with various Government institutions involved in the promotion of social sciences research and various Government institutions involved in promoting research in natural science and technology; and

(c)  the  budgetary  allocations  by  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  to  promote  research  in social sciences along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  introduced  two  scholarship schemes namely (i) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Science and (ii) Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research, specially for promoting  research  in  social  sciences  since  2014-15.  Besides  these  schemes,  UGC  has introduced Special Assistance Program (SAP) for providing financial assistance to universities for  research  in  different  disciplines  including  social  sciences.  For  awarding  Major  Research Projects  (MRP)  for  research  work,  UGC  is  also  providing  grant  to  the  University/College Teachers (including Central Universities).

UGC has been implementing following schemes where fellowships are awarded in four streams viz. 1) Humanities 2) Social Science 3) Science and 4) Engineering & Technology for pursuing M.Phil./ Ph.D. research and higher research in Universities /Institutions /Colleges in India:

1. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC candidates (Inception year 2005).   [Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Social Justice  & Empowerment, Govt. of India]
2.  National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST Students since 2015 [Formerly RGNF - ST] (Inception year 2005) [Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India]
3.  Rajiv  Gandhi  National  Fellowship  for  Students  with  Disabilities  (Inception  year  2012) [Entrusted by Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment]
4.  National  Fellowship  for  Students  of  Other  Backward  Classes  (OBC)  (Inception  year  2014) (Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India]
5.  Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students (Inception year 2009) [Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India]
6.    Post-Doctoral  Fellowship  for  SC/ST  Candidates  (Inception  year  2006)  [Out  of  UGC's Budget]

- (c):  Scheme-wise budgetary allocation during financial year 2015-16 is as under:

|   S.No. | Name of the Schemes                                                                     | Grant released during financial year 2015-16 (Rs. In crore)   |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences         | 0.74                                                          |
|       2 | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences         | 13.57                                                         |
|       3 | Special Assistance Program (SAP)                                                        | 15.10                                                         |
|       4 | Major Research Projects (MRP)                                                           | 29.00                                                         |
|       5 | Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC candidate                                       | 178.10                                                        |
|       6 | National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST Students since 2015[Formerly RGNF - ST] | 52.13                                                         |
|       7 | Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities                         | Payment made by M/SJ&E                                        |
|       8 | National Fellowship for Students of Other Backward Classes (OBC )                       | 15.12                                                         |
|       9 | Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students                                  | 74.26                                                         |
|      10 | Post Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates                                           | 22.60                                                         |

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