GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3467
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07-09-2007

RAMANUJAM FELLOWSHIP FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

3467. SHRI JASUBHAI DHANABHAI BARAD:
SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Ramanujam Fellowship was launched in August, 2005 by the Government to attract brilliant scientists and engineers, especially Non-Resident Indians (NRIs);
(b) if so, the details thereof with the incentives offered therein;
(c) the number of scientists and engineers applied for the same since August, 2005;
(d) whether the Government has achieved the objective of launching the Ramanujam Fellowship;
(e) if not, whether the Government is considering some other measures to attract scientists and engineers; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has instituted 'Ramanujan Fellowships' which is meant for brilliant scientists and engineers from all over the world to take up scientific research positions in India, especially those scientists who want to return to India from abroad. All areas of science (in the broadest terms) are covered by this fellowship. The duration of the fellowship is for five years. The fellowships are scientist-specific and very selective. The Ramanujan Fellows can work in any of the scientific institutions and universities in the country and they are eligible for receiving regular research grants through the extramural funding schemes of various S&T agencies of the Government of India.

The eligibility for this Fellowship is as follows: (i) the fellowship is open to brilliant scientists and engineers from all over the world who are below the age of 60 years; (ii) the applicant should possess a higher degree or equivalent, such as Ph.D. in Science/Engineering, Masters in Engineering or Technology/MD in Medicine, etc. and have adequate professional experience; (iii) these Fellowships are very selective and only those who have a proven/outstanding track-record as evident from their research publications and recognitions are eligible; (iv) the candidate has to opt for either this fellowship or his present position/fellowship, if any;

The incentives offered as part of Ramanujan Fellowships are as follows: (i) a fellowship amount for the Ramanujan Fellow which is Rs. 50,000 per month for the first 3 years of the fellowship and Rs. 60,000 per month during the last two years; (ii) a research grant of Rs. 5.00 lakh per annum for meeting a variety of academic expenses including one foreign travel per year for attending scientific conferences abroad.

(c) 53 scientists have applied for Ramanujan Fellowships so far;

(d) to (f): From the growing number and nature of applications being received, it is clear that the Government will be successful in achieving the objective of launching this Fellowship. The Government has also launched some other schemes to either motivate scientists of Indian origin living abroad to come back to India or to leverage their scientific expertise for the growth of scientific R&D in the country. For example, the Collaborative Projects with Scientists & Technologists of Indian Origin Abroad Programme (CP-STIO Programme) of DST enables scientists and technologists of Indian origin living abroad to visit India for a brief period and carry out research activities jointly with Indian scientists. The K.S Krishnan Research Associateship of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) provides career opportunities in the Units of DAE for scientists from India or abroad. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), through its Talent Search Scheme for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), appoints qualified and suitable NRIs as Scientists in various grades in DRDO depending on their experience. The Department of Biotechnology has also instituted the Ramalingaswamy Fellowship for scientists of Indian origin settled in any part of the world who would like to come back and carry out their research in India.