Welcome to Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India ::

			Home \| Sitemap \| Search \| Feedback \| FAQs \| Contact Us

About DST	Scientific Programmes	S&T System in India	Scientific Services	Administration & Finance	What’s New

Annual Report 2000-2001

Scientific Research

Swarnajayanti Fellowships

Swarnajayanti Fellowships programme was launched with the objective to encourage young scientists to undertake basic research in frontier areas of science and technology and achieve standards of excellence, which are comparable with the best in the world. The fellowships are open to Indian young scientists, in the age group of 30-40 years, with a proven track record. The selected candidates are given an attractive fellowship amount of Rs. 25,000/- per month. A research programme is considered in the frontier areas of science, engineering or medicine for a maximum period of five years. The support under the project covers grants for equipment, manpower, contingencies, consumables, travel including international travel and administrative and infrastructural support.

During the current year, two young scientists were selected for Swaranajayanti Fellowships. They are:

Dr.V.Kumaran, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Dr.Onuttom Narayan, Assistant Professor, Physics Department, University of California, USA.

Opportunities For Young Scientists

With a view to motivate and encourage Young Scientists to take R&D as career and retain them in science the department has continued to play a catalytic role in attracting young scientists towards science and technology by implementing a number of programmes. The Young Scientists programme of DST has the following specific objectives:

To provide opportunities to Young Scientists for pursuing exciting and innovative research ideas.
To provide opportunities for interaction and exchange of ideas with the scientific community both at the national and international levels.
To involve Young Scientists in national S&T development process.
To encourage S&T institutions, professional bodies and other agencies including State S&T Councils to develop S&T programmes involving Young Scientists.

Some of the major activities and programmes under this scheme involve supporting international BOYSCAST Fellowships, Contact programmes and fellowships through S&T Councils/Departments. The progress and achievement under these programmes during the current year are described below:

Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientists

This new initiative launched during the current year aims at providing opportunities to Young Scientists (below 35 years) for pursuing exciting and innovative research ideas, providing opportunities for their interaction and exchange of ideas with the peers in the scientific community and thus involving Young Scientists in national S&T development process.

Under this scheme proposals for support were called through an open advertisement. The proposals to be submitted were to have the following parameters:

maximum duration upto 3 years;
budgetary limit upto Rs 10.00 lakhs for 3 years; and
PI to get a fellowship of Rs 15,000/- per month if not drawing any fellowship or salary.

Based on this advertisement, 675 projects have been received against the advertisement. These proposals were Peer Reviewed and based on this peer review, 105 proposals have been approved, so far while 275 projects have not been recommended for support under this programme.

Linkages have been built with the earlier scheme for Young Scientists (SYS) from which 55 projects have been accorded approval based on peer review/ Expert Committee recommendations. Almost 100 projects have not been found suitable for funding. In addition on-going releases have been made on 50 projects in various disciplines. A Group Monitoring Workshop (GMW) for the projects in the area of Life Sciences, was held on 29-30 December, 2001 wherein progress on 34 on-going projects was reviewed. A similar workshop for projects in other areas in likely to be held during March/ April, 2001.

Better Opportunities For Young Scientists In Chosen Areas Of Science & Technology (BOYSCAST)

The scheme provides opportunities of young scientists for visiting international institutions in order to help them participate and contribute in front line chosen areas of Science and Technology. The duration of the Fellowship is 3-12 months. Young Scientists and Technologists up to the age of 35 years are eligible for the fellowships and once trained in the chosen areas are able to generate and spread expertise at the national S&T laboratories. During the current year 39 brilliant young scientists have been identified for the award of the BOYSCAST fellowships in in various disciplines of science and technology such as Modelling in Earth System Science, Evolution and Dynamics of Indian Lithosphere, Polymer and Surface Chemistry, Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Dynamics, Bioinorganic and Biomimetic Chemistry, Organometallic, Industrial Microbiology, Smart Materials/Advanced Materials (Biomaterials), Advanced Materials (Carbon Nanotubes and Fullerenes), Smart Sensors and Materials, Site Directed Mutagenesis, Transducer and Sensor Technology, Robotics and Automation, Transducers and Sensor Technology, Molecular Epidemiology, Brain Mapping, Modelling for New Drug Development, Crop Biotechnology, Molecular Mapping, Drug Delivery Systems, Molecular Cytogenetics, Transgenic Plants, Functional NMR, Brain Mapping, Molecular Biology of Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, Plant-microbe Interaction, Crop Biotechnology, Molecular Biology of Abiotic Stress, Plant Genetic Resources, Transgenesis/Reproduction Technology, Genetic Engineering, Machine Intelligence and Soft Computing, Exploratory Data Analysis, Development of Synchrotron Radiation Source, Nanophase Materials, Electronic Materials and Processing. They are being provided financial support.

The work of awardees of the fellowship during the period 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1999-2000 was reviewed during April 18-20, 2000. It was observed that not only the fellows had learnt new methodologies and added substantially to the output of the research teams with which they were associated but have also received high appreciation from the leaders of the research groups for their utter dedication, hard work, and seriousness of purpose. The fellows were able to produce quality work in a short period of time. Reports of foreign guides of fellows who have now returned have graded them very highly and their work at foreign laboratories was considered of a very high standard. All of them have returned to India and many of them have received recognition by their employees (universities, colleges and research institutions) in the form of promotions, and additional responsibilities. Many of them had also obtained grants from various sources to pursue research, while others were waiting to receive communication about their applications from granting agencies. It was a matter of great satisfaction that the policy followed by the DST to send only employed young scientists on this programme and the rigorous selection and monitoring of their work on their return had served the anticipated objectives. It has proved to be a unique programme having a snowballing effect in keeping highly talented young scientists abreast of new developments in S&T.

Contact Programmes

The scheme is aimed at attracting and motivating brilliant young scientists to take up R&D as a career by bringing them in contact with eminent scientists and institutions. The programme also involves training in modern techniques in various disciplines of S&T. During the period under report 12 programmes in the area of Advance Physical Chemistry, utilization of medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Methods of surface science & Catalysis, Conservation of Biology, Protoplast Fusion Technology for Strain Improvement in Filamentous Fungi, Physical Sciences, Watershed Development, Mechanical Engineering, Cytogenetics and Clinical Genetics in Human Health and Disease. Environmental Engineering. Over 285 chosen young scientists have participated/are likely to participate and benefit from these programmes.

Fellowships Through State S&T Councils/Departments

This programme was initiated in order to involve State S&T Councils in R&D activities and strengthen the same at State level. About 20 fellowships were awarded through the States S&T Councils/Departments of Kerala, Rajasthan and Tamilnadu for young scientists to visit and work in renowned laboratories in other states.

Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana programme moved forward and is already being looked at as the most attractive scholarship scheme for young students in the country. It is being coordinated by IISc, Bangalore on behalf of DST.

During this year, a written aptitude test was organized for selected students (through structured screening) in the "Science Stream". This was followed by a rigorous interview held at several centres in the country. A total of about 120 students received the KVPY fellowships this year.

For the students continuing from 1999, carefully thought out summer training programmes were organized at IISc, Bangalore, IIT, Mumbai and AIIMS, New Delhi. The performance of students in the summer camps and their scholastic performance in their respective courses of study were taken into consideration before continuing their fellowship in 2000.

Integrated Science (Physics, Chemistry And Biology Olympiad Programme

DST's collaboration with DAE and MHRD continued in giving strength to the science olympiad movement in the country. DST's financial support specifically enabled the Indian teams to participate in International Chemistry and Biology Olympiads.

Participating in the International Chemistry Olympiad for the second time, the Indian team won 2 silver and 2 bronze medals again. Every member of the team received a medal.

In its maiden performance at the International Biology Olympiad, the Indian team won 1silver and 3 bronze medals. Once again, every member of the team won a medal.

The country with its impressive track record in the International Olympiad has been successfully able to get the hosting of the International Chemistry Olympiad for the year 2002.

Utilisation Of The Scientific Expertise Of Retired Scientists (USERS)

The Department during the seventh five-year plan introduced the scheme Utilisation of the Scientific Expertise of Retired Scientists (USERS). The main objective of the scheme is to utilise expertise and potential of large number of eminent scientists in the country who remain active and deeply motivated to participate in S&T development activities even after their retirement. The scheme has continued to play a significant role in involving a large number of retired scientists in S&T developmental activities. The main activity under the programme is preparation of books/monographs/state-of-the-art reports. During the year 2 meetings of the USERS Expert Committee were held and 21 new projects sanctioned. Final reports on a few projects were also received. DST's support resulted in following publications.

A monograph on Bihar Hairy Caterpillar, Spilosoma Obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera Arctiidae) dealing with the structure, development and management of this insect has come out since the last meeting. Attempt has been made to introduce the chapters on various body systems in general including whatever scattered information was available on functional physiology such as biology, artificial diet, bio-energetic, insect pest and host specifically and insect-pest management - some of the latest coined topics which enriches the knowledge regarding this pest. The document is envisaged helpful for undergraduates, post-graduates and for those professing entomology in different Indian Universities and institutions.
State of the Art on the Production of Ornamental Plants in India. In this report an account of 330 selected plants, trees, shrubs and climbers have been documented, though the list of ornamental plants cultivated in this country is quite large. Herbaceous plants and seasonals have been excluded from the study. From these plants it has been observed that out of 330 plants only 84 have the origin in India and some other countries combined while 246 are of exotic origin.
Recent Advances in Agrochemicals - Report dealing with pesticides of both synthetic and plant origin giving chemistry of insecticides, nematicides, rodenticides, herbicides, fungicides, their improved formulation, their environmental impact, alternative methods of insect pests control could be of general interest of researchers and students. Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship and Computer Assisted Molecular Modeling in Pesticide design has also been discussed besides suggestions on future developments, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Indian Patent System etc.
Phytophthora Diseases in India - the monograph deals with the description, classification and Identification of Indian species of Phytophthora along with a world list of species of this genus. Information on each species has been compiled and updated to provide information on the crop losses, casual organisms, epidemiology and disease cycle, host parasite interaction, and disease management. The work includes information on isolation techniques and cultivation of Phytophthora species, methods of inducing zoosporangia, zoospores and oospores, techniques for soil infestation, description of Indian Phytophthora, photographs of symptoms, line diagrams and photomicrographs of various structures of the pathogens and disease management. Information on the host and parasite relationship including toxins.
Introduction to Mushroom Science - the monograph deals with information on important biological features necessary for basic understanding of the subject such as sexuality and mycorrhiza, medicinal poisonous and hallucinogenic species, nutritional value of mushrooms and conservation of biological diversity. This monograph is a sequel to the one published earlier by the author 'Introduction to Mushroom Science - Systematics' under the USERS scheme. The book is likely to be published soon.
The economic plants of North East India gives a glimpse of the richness of the plant wealth and genetic diversity of the North East of India which had earlier remained largely unexplored.
The book on Plant - Animal Interactions describes mechanism of interaction between plants and animals at the levels of species interactions, plant animal interactions, insect-plant interaction etc. in general and interactions involving insects, non-ungulate mammalian folivores, frugivores, and seed predators and mutualistic interactions occurring in soils and having a strong bearing on forestry and agriculture, which have otherwise tended to be neglected, in particular.

Intensification Of Research In High Priority Areas (IRHPA)

Intensification of research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA) programme, which was initiated during the 6th Plan, has resulted in the strengthening of the infrastructure and research capabilities in selected areas of Science & Engineering in the country. IRHPA is a complementary programme to the SERC programme with activities consisting of setting up of units/ core groups around an eminent scientist and major National Research facilities to nucleate research activities in these areas. The scheme has contributed to augment general R&D capabilities at academic institutions and national laboratories in the areas of Plasma Research, Crystal Structure, Robotics, Neuroscience, Laser Spectroscopy, Structural Biology, Surface Science & Technology, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Technical Acoustics, Geo-centrifuge for Engineering applications etc. These programmes approved by the Council are multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional in nature.

Some new programme sanctioned during the year are:

Research support facility for Ferro magnetic fluids (Bhavnagar University)
Facility for Structural Biology (IISc-Bangalore)
Centre for Non-Accelerator Particle Physics (IIA-Bangalore)
Biomedical Resonance Research Facility (SG PG Institute of Medical Sciences - Lucknow)
NMR facilities (MK University-Madurai, University of Poona-Pune)
Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer (IISc-Bangalore)
Phytochemical Research Facility (Kumaon University-Nainital)

During the current year the Council considered few selected programmes in high priority areas of Science and Engineering. Some of the new initiatives are as follows:

In order to intensify research in the field of biomedical research, a unit on "Biomedical Resonance Research" has been supported at SG PG Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. This is an inter-disciplinary and multi-institutional programme involving four institutions namely SGPGIMS-Lucknow; Allahabad University; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur; and Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow with SGPGIMS coordinating the R&D programme. This programme will focus on different aspects of Health Sciences such as Cellular & Micro imaging; NMR Spectroscopy; Functional Image MRI; Image reconstruction and NMR Quantum coupling etc. This Unit would be one of its kind in the country and will cater to the need of several hospitals and medical colleges in diagnosing the problem.

In addition, several other NMR facilities such as 400 MHz, 700 MHz were also approved to study different aspects of Chemical & Biological Sciences.

Under Physical Sciences, major initiative is to design, develop and commission a state-of-the art Hybrid Recoil Mass Analyzer for a range of studies in the hitherto unexplored domains of nuclear dynamics and structure physics. The programme would be implemented at Nuclear Science Centre (NSC), New Delhi. In another programme at NSC, preliminary design studies for setting up a Gamma Detector Array would be taken up to do high fold coincidence gamma ray spectroscopy to uncover nuclear behaviour under extreme condition of excitation energy and angular momentum.

Under Chemical Sciences, a major facility has been approved to probe the structure and reactivity of chemical molecules. Under this programme, a state-of-the-art facility of Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer has been approved for setting up at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

In order to explore the flora and fauna of Kumaon and Garhwal region, a facility for Phytochemical Research was also established at Department of Chemistry, Kumaon University, Nainital.

The progress of all the ongoing programmes were reviewed through the respective Management Advisory Committees. Based on their recommendations extension was given to Peptide Sequencing Facility at IIT-Mumbai; Centre for Study of Ultrafast Processes at University of Madras; and Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer Facility at Mysore University. The last two programmes were reviewed by the Council during its meeting.

Under the earlier implemented ICOSER project, the Level III Centres at Panjab University - Chandigarh and IIT - Guwahati in the NE region were made operational.

The Wind Tunnel Facility at IIT-Kanpur has been formally put into operation and a user introduction workshop was organised at Kanpur. A major project to upgrade and modernise the Cyclotron at Panjab University, Chandigarh and to turn it into regional PIXE facility was funded during the period.

National Science And Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS)

The National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) continued its efforts of generating and making available information on resources both manpower as well as financial devoted to scientific and technological (S&T) activities by conducting national surveys both through in-house as well as sponsored studies.

S&T Resources Studies

The national survey for collecting data on resources devoted to research and development activities for the year 1998-99 has been completed and the data is under process. Based on this survey two national level reports entitled 'Research and Development Statistics' and a sectoral report entitled 'Research and Development in Industry' will be published. As a by-product of this survey, two other publications titled 'S&T Data Book and Directory of R&D Institutions' will also be brought out during the year.

The national level report on Research and Development Statistics will provide information and analysis in forms and variety like financial and human resources deployed by research institutions/laboratories, of major scientific agencies, central ministries/departments, State Government institutions/departments, research stations and in-house R&D units of public and private sector industries. Apart from this, the publication will also give information on patents, enrollment, out-turn, stock of S&T personnel, Plan/Non-plan allocation for S&T, stock of scientists, engineers, technicians for selected countries, and R&D expenditure per capita and as percentage of Gross National Product etc.

The sectoral report on Research and Development in Industry will provide detailed information on the financial and human resources devoted to industrial R&D activities. This report will also give detailed analysis of data in respect of R&D expenditure by industry group, by fields of science, by objectives, by location of R&D centres and by R&D manpower etc.

The latest publication S&T Data Book 2000, sixth in series covers time series data in variety and form on input resources (both financial and manpower) deployed in S&T activities in the country, their international comparisons and some related socio-economic parameters of relevance.

The division is likely to launch the next national survey on resources devoted to R&D activities for the year 2000-2001. The questionnaire is to be modified to bring out the information in a more cohesive manner taking note of experiences gained in the earlier surveys. To collect information on extramural funding survey has already been launched.

Information System/Database Activities

With a view to disseminate information on research and development (R&D) projects for the benefit of different interest groups, the National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) Division of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) continued its efforts to compile information on extramural R&D projects funded by different central agencies. Besides maintaining a computerized database on extramural R&D projects from 1985-86 onwards, the department publishes annually directory of extramural research and development projects funded during the year. The preparation of the directory for the year
1998-99 is in progress and expected to be published during the year. Also, efforts to collect data on Extramural R&D projects funded by various Central Agencies for the year 1999-2000, have been taken.