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

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2245
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2006

RESEARCH BY STUDENTS

2245. SHRI ANANDRAO V. ADSUL:

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

(a) whether the Government has launched a programme to promote science, research and innovation among students and youths;
(b) if so, the details of the schemes prepared by the Government in this regard; and
(c) the incentives provided to youths and students during the last three years, year-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (c): Developing and nurturing of human resource in Science & Technology has always been on top of the Government's agenda. The Government has instituted several schemes to promote science, research and innovation among students and youths. Some of them are as follows -

• Ramanujan fellowships to attract brilliant scientists including young scientists from all over the world (Fellowship of Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 60,000/- pm);
• JC Bose fellowships to recognize active scientists who have a proven outstanding track record (Fellowship of Rs. 20,000/- pm);
• Ramanna fellowships aimed at supporting outstanding project investigators on a continuous basis (Fellowship of Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 25,000/- pm);
  
• Shyama Prasad Mukherjee fellowships targeted at talented post-graduate students (Fellowship of Rs. 12,000/- to Rs. 15,000/- pm);
• CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Awards for Innovators for developing technology of highest benchmarks of competitiveness (Fellowship of Rs. 7,500/- pm);
• Swarnajayanti fellowships for Basic Sciences to outstanding young scientists (Fellowship of Rs. 10,000/- pm for employed scientists and Rs. 25,000/- pm for scientists without regular employment);
• Women Scientists Scheme to provide opportunities to women scientists to re-enter mainstream research (Fellowship of Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- pm);
• Biotechnology Post-Doctoral fellowships Bioscience Awards for career development (Cash Prize of Rs. 1 lakh);
• Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientists for granting research projects to young scientists with or without employment (Fellowship of Rs. 20,000/- pm for unemployed scientists);
• Kishore Vaigyanik Prothsahan Yojana (KVPY) targets the young science students at the school and college level with research bent of mind and motivates them through suitable scholarships and other incentives to pursue a research career in sciences, engineering and medical sciences (Fellowship of Rs. 2,000/- to Rs. 5,000/- pm);
• Junior / Senior Research Fellowships target pre-doctoral research students (Fellowship of Rs. 8,000/- / Rs. 9,000/- pm);
• CSIR Young Scientists Award (Citation, plaque and Rs. 50,000/- as prize money) etc.

In promoting science, innovation, research and development approximately Rs. 43 cr., Rs. 52 cr. and Rs. 53 cr. have been sanctioned to young scientists and students during 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 respectively which includes incentives as mentioned above. All these initiatives are aimed at providing encouragement and assistance to students and young scientists.