GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3291
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07-12-2007

RESEARCHERS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

3291. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

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

(a) whether India has less than 3 lakh researchers in Science and Technology whereas China has more than 9 lakh researchers;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase researchers in Science and Technology?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): According to the available official statistics, the number of researchers in Science and Technology in India and China are 1,15,936 and 8,05,176 respectively. The Indian Government have taken various steps to increase and retain researchers in Science & Technology. Some of these measures include:

• Induction of new and attractive fellowships for young and performing scientists
  
• Creation of new Scientific Departments/Organisations
  
• Setting up of centres of excellence/advanced studies/incubation centres in the universities, academic institutions and laboratories
  
• Creation of core groups of professionals with necessary modern facilities required for pursuing research in new and frontier areas of science
  
• Increase in the outlay for science and technology sector in successive Five Year Plan
  
• Provision of sharing the external earnings with the scientists or innovator and its periodic revision in terms of IPR, Contract Research & Consultancy
  
• S&T based training for entrepreneurial development
  
• Contact programmes to attract and motivate brilliant young scientists to take up R&D as a career.
  
• Early Faculty Induction Programme, which aims at attracting bright and young under-graduate students in Engineering and Technology/Pharmacy/Architecture, etc. to take up research as their career.
  
• Fast Track Scheme for young scientists
  
• Financial assistance given to scientists/ young researchers to participate in international conferences and training programmes abroad
  
• Better Opportunities for Young Scientists in Chosen Areas of Science and Technology (BOYSCAST) fellowship to visit international laboratories and institutions
  
• Invitation to distinguished men and women of Indian origin settled abroad for short term technical assignments to assist in frontier and emerging areas of S&T