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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2460
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16-12-2008
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNIVERSITIES
2460. SHRI JASUBHAI DHANABHAI BARAD:

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

(a) whether the Government has any plan/scheme to strengthen science and technology infrastructure in universities and other higher educational institutions in the country;
(b) if so, the details of the same along with the number of Universities/Academic Departments identified for the purpose, State-wise; and
(c) the total amount of funds allocated and utilised for the aforesaid purpose during the last three years and the current year, State-wise and year-wise; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Union Government to encourage young scientists to pursue serious scientific work across the country?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Sir, during the year 2000, Government of India through the Department of Science and Technology has initiated a new scheme "Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institute (FIST)" for upgrading the infrastructure and facilities for research in Science and Technology Departments of Universities and related Academic Institutes. Under this Program, till March 2008, more than 1100 Science, Engineering and Technology Departments in 310 Universities, Colleges and related Academic Institutes have been identified. While the support in current year is being finalized, the year-wise and state-wise details till March 2008 are given in

Annexure - 1.


Various steps have been taken by the Union Government to encourage young scientists to pursue serious scientific work across the country. A number of schemes have been instituted by the Government for encouraging Young Scientists, and also for nurturing talented students in the form of SERC Programme for Young Scientists including BOYSCAST Fellowships and Fellowships like Swarnajayanthi Fellowships, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Fellowships, KS Krishnan Fellowships, Ramanna Fellowships and J.C. Bose & Ramanujam Fellowships for practicing young scientists & technologists, and CSIR programme on Youth for leadership in Science (CPYLS), Diamond Jubilee Research Interns Award Scheme, Junior/Senior Research Fellowships (JRF/SRF), Biotechnology Post Doctoral Research Associateship & Overseas Fellowships , Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), National Science Olympiad Programme etc. for attracting and retaining young talented students in R&D. In addition, the young scientists including students have been exposed to new technologies through schools, workshops etc. to encourage them to discover and/or experiment on new technologies including the emerging fields like nanoscience & nanotechnology, biotechnology etc. Most of these schemes have been operated in a liberalized manner from time to time based on the needs of the young scientists.

In addition, the Government, in the XI Plan has launched a new scheme called INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research). The main features of the proposed scheme will be: (1) innovation funding in schools (one million young innovators); (2) summer camp with science icons (for high performers); (3) assured opportunity schemes for proven talent force; and, (4) retention of talent in public funded research through public-private partnerships. Further, another new scheme on Scholarships for Science in Higher Education (SHE) is being initiated in the XI Plan under which 10,000 fellowships of Rs. 80,000/- per year for bright students in science streams during their B.Sc/M.Sc courses would be provided. These initiatives are aimed at generating interest in youth to conduct more and more research and produce valuable results.