Annual Report 1999-2000

Overview

As the pace of S&T effort needs to be accelerated to cover a wide range of programmes, Department of Science and Technology has been supporting programmes and activities in a wide spectrum of disciplines. Efforts have been made to secure partnership of the industry and association of the socio-economic ministries. As a result, multi-institutional programmes have been evolved focussing on indigenous technology development.

The Swarnajayanti Fellowships scheme, launched in June 1997, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of our independence, supported 11 young scientists with proven capability of out standing research work to explore new frontiers in their field of specialisation in 1998 and 6 scientists in 1999. The support covers all the requirements for performing at the highest level and include in addition to an attractive fellowship amount of Rs 25,000, grants for equipment, research and administrative support, consumable, national and international travel and any other special requirement including infrastructure.

In order to provide support to scientists on all aspects of patenting, a Patent Facilitating Cell has been in operation In the Department. A monthly bulletin titled "Intellectual Property Rights" is being brought out covering a wide range of topics like analysis of patent applications filed in India, domestic and international news and other information related to patent regime.

The Science and Engineering Council (SERC) sanctioned 217 research proposals during the year. In addition, 60 scientists have been supported under SERC Visiting Fellowships scheme to work in leading national laboratories. Some of the important new areas, which have been supported, are: Preparation and densification of aluminium nitride powder, Molecular dynamics in model dimeric liquid crystals, Non-linear optical processes, Microwave imaging, Ferro-magnetic fluids, Neuron-glial signaling, Nano crystalline materials, Development of automated rolling element bearing, Asymmetric organic synthesis, Inorganic polymers, Biochemical makers of cataract of the eye etc. A Vision on Engineering Sciences, which has been prepared, taking into consideration, the economic liberalisation and consequent impact on industries, was used for the research strategy. The programs on the Earth Systems Sciences are basically aimed at advanced research, development and training in front-line topics towards having a better understanding of the morphology and dynamics of the earth's sub-surface environment, especially focused on problems of relevance to the Indian sub-continent such as tectonics, seismicity, lithosphere, mineralogy, petrology, hydrology, coastal erosion etc.

With a view to motivate and encourage young scientists to take R&D as a career and retain them in scientific activities, DST has formulated a number schemes. Some of the major programs include, among others, support to R&D projects, BOYSCAST Fellowships, Contact Programs, and Fellowships through S&T State Councils. During the. year, 20-research projects, 41 BOYSCAST Fellowships and 6 Contact programs were supported.

There is no scheme at present in vogue, which sufficiently motivates bright minds at their secondary/college level to enable them to pursue science studies and encourage them to stick on to a career in science. In the absence of such an incentive, brighter among the students divert to other lucrative professions. The Kishore Vigyan Protsahan Yojana was initiated to encourage young students to take more interest in science. The scheme provides opportunities for improving the talents through R&D project Works, attachment with renowned scientists and other activities.

IRH.PA program has resulted in the strengthening of the infrastructure and research capabilities in selected areas of Science & Engineering in the country. Under this program, units/ core groups are established around an outstanding scientist to act as a focal point to nucleate research activities in these areas. As a part of this program, National Centres have been set up to cater to the needs of the active group of scientists along with encouraging co-ordinated national programs of inter-disciplinary nature. Recently, the following programs have been supported:

• NNIR Facilities at IISc, Bangalore
• National x-ray Diffractometer facility at IIT- Mumbai
• Integration of Computational facilities for Scientific Research (ICOSER) - Creation of 7 level III Centres.
• Centre for study of Utrafast Processes at the University of Madras
• National Centre for Biological and Organic Mass Spectrometry at IICT, Hyderabad
• 300 MHz NMR Facilities at IIT-Kanpur and IISc, Bangalore
• Facility for Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope at CCMB, Hyderabad
• National Centre for Biological and Organic Mass Spectrometry
• National Centre for Computational Fluid Dynamics at IIT-Chennai
• Facility for Technical Acoustics at IISc, Bangalore
• Augmentation of the existing facilities at the National Centre for Experimental Mineralogy and Petrology at University of Allahabad
• Indian Solar Terrestrial Energy Programme with Department of Space
• Imager Spectrograph for Telescope at IUCAA, Pune

The National S&T 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 activities by conducting national surveys. Reports entitled "Research and Development Statistics 1996-97" and "Research and Development in Industry 1996-97" were brought out. The salient features of the latest survey for the year 1996-97 are that the national investment on R&D attained a level of Rs 8340.17 crore, which was 0.66 percent of GNP. The major share of R&D expenditure was met from Central Government sources (69.7%). State Governments share being 8.7 percent and the remaining 21.6 percent being met from the private industry. The report provides detailed data and analysis both at macro and micro levels besides containing other relevant secondary source data related to S&T.

Jai Vigyan S&T Mission projects were initiated in the areas of Natural Disaster Mitigation in Himalaya, Area Development Mission for Andaman & Nicobar Islands through S&T; Remote medical Diagnostic Care for Rural Population through Tele- medicine Network System and a National Program for Braille Literacy.

In recent years great concern has been expressed about the lack of infrastructural facilities for imparting good quality higher education and conducting advanced research. As a result of the ongoing efforts, Departments in the universities and related institutions have made some impact on the development of teaching and research. These university departments are now in a stage to be identified for selective strengthening of their infrastructure for post-graduate education and research. It is also necessary to extend such infrastructural support to other higher technical education institutions and medical education institutions. Considering all these factors, a major new program named Fund for improvement of S&T infrastructure in universities and related institutions (FIST) has been initiated. This would involve providing basic infrastructure and the enabling facilities and environment for promoting R&D in new and emerging areas and attracting fresh talent.

The RSICs and SIFS, located in different parts of the country, continued to assist scientists in their requirements of sophisticated instruments for research. More than 5000 scientists, researchers have utilised the above facilities. More than 65,000 samples were analysed during the current year. In addition, training programs on the use of such equipments, maintenance and other related activities were organised for the young scientists.

More recently, in the context of liberalisation, DST has accorded greater emphasis on projects related to technology development. Instrument Development Program and multi-institutional and multi disciplinary technology development programs with the co-operation of industries were also undertaken. The Technology Development Board, during the year, signed 14 agreements with 13 commercial enterprises and one autonomous institution. The total cost of these projects comes to Rs 342 crores, out of which the Board has committed an assistance Rs 136 crores. The projects include, among others, development and manufacture of cross-linked cables with the use of electron beam irradiation technology, providing remote medical diagnostic care to rural population through telemedicine network system, development and manufacture of Interferon Alpha, manufacture of spiral type male barrier contraceptive and design and development of multi-role light transport aircraft.

Science and Technology Advisory Committee (STACS) set up in 24 socio-economic ministries have continued to provide S&T inputs to the concerned sectors. An Inter-sectoral Science and Technology Advisory Committee (IS-STAC), set up under DST, works closely with these STACs to enable multi-partnership efforts. Technology development projects on the mission mode were continued in the areas of i) Sugar Technology, ii) Fly ash utilisation and iii) advanced composites. DST has evolved certain schemes, which are specifically intended to accelerate the pace of development of indigenous technology through networking of existing strengths in various national laboratories. The Drugs and Pharmaceutical Research Program is one such activity and was initiated in 1995 to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Drugs and Pharmaceutical industries towards development of new drugs. Eight collaborative research projects have been considered during the period.

The societal program of the DST aims primarily at reaching technology to the weaker section of the society so that they derive benefit in terms of enhanced income, reduced drudgery and. in general an improved quality of life. While in the previous years the emphasis was on development of appropriate technology packages, during the current year a deliberate attempt has been made to enlarge the scope of the activities through co-ordinated programs. National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) has been making systematic and continued efforts in fostering entrepreneurship among S&T persons and also improving the technical skill of the people to make them employable. The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) continued its efforts in the area of science communication and popularisation and also in inculcating a scientific temper among the people. The Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) continued its efforts in the upgradation of data management methodologies for drawing up area specific developmental strategies, at district and sub-district level using the concept of Geographic Information System (GIS). The spatial data management technologies are being demonstrated through a network of district level GIS centres spread over 10 different States of the country.

India has S&T cooperation with 53 countries, which are being co-ordinated by the DST. The Science Wings at the Indian Missions abroad continued to provide information on recent advances in various fields of S&T as well as counsellor services to the visiting scientists.

Scientific services in the areas of meteorology, survey and mapping have been provided to the user agencies through the India Meteorological Department), Survey of India (SOI), National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). Agromet Advisory Services has been issued regularly and the network has been strengthened from 28 to 48 units. District Planning Maps have been produced for 125 districts.

Thirteen autonomous research institutions, which have been supported by DST, continued to achieve excellence in their areas of specialisation. These institutions have published a large number of scientific papers and transferred a number of technologies to industries and the user agencies. In addition, the TIFAC has initiated follow-up action on the Technology Vision 2020 and supported many projects in the Home-grown Technology programme, which are likely to result in the development of indigenous technologies. The Vigyan Prasar had brought out many science popularisation programmes in print, video and CD-ROM formats. NABL is a programme of national importance aimed towards providing accreditation to testing and calibration laboratories within the country, In accordance with International quality norms as per ISO-58 1993. This will bring about competitiveness in the industry and improve export potential of indigenously manufactured products by meeting international standards. Quality manual for the Accreditation Body has been prepared and placed in force. Guidelines for preparation of quality manual for laboratories seeking accreditation prepared and communicated to laboratories A document on NABL criteria for laboratory accreditation has been published.