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

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 678
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05-03-2007

FUNDS FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

678. SHRI SURENDRA LATH:

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

(a) the details of funds allocated for scientific research in various fields during the last year 2005-2006;
(b) the amount utilized out of the allocated funds; and
(c) whether any concrete results have come out of this scientific research and the efforts being made by Government to promote education and scientific research in future?

A N S W E R

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

(a) to (c) An allocation of Rs. 330 crores was made for scientific research under Research and Development Programme in 2005-06. The scheme includes programmes for promotion of research and development in newly emerging and frontline areas of science & engineering including multi-disciplinary fields; support to research in high priority areas of national interest taking into account of existing research capability of host institute; special encouragement for young scientists to take up challenging R&D activities etc. The allocated funds have been fully utililized. Several impressive results including publications in high impact journals, patents, human resource development, etc. have been emanated from the research investment. Government has taken a number of initiatives for the promotion of scientific research in the country. The support to research is enhanced through S&T mission mode programmes, establishment of new research centres of excellence, international collaborative projects, strengthening of R&D infrastructure in academic institutions and research labs, institution of prestigious fellowships like Swarnajayanti Fellowship for outstanding Young Scientists, Ramanna Fellowship for performing scientists, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship for Young Scientists, Ramanujan Fellowships to attract outstanding scientists and engineers from all over the world to take up scientific research in our country, J.C Bose Fellowships to recognize and support active, performing Indian scientists & engineers. More recently, three new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) have been set up at Kolkata, Pune and Chandigarh, which, apart from carrying out frontline and internationally competitive research, would offer integrated M.Sc. programmes in a multi-disciplinary and academically flexible and research-oriented environment.
The Government, in the XI Plan is also proposing to launch 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 ions (for high performers); (3) assured opportunity schemes for proven talent force; and, (4) retention of talent in public funded research through public-private partnerships. In addition, scientific research in our country will be boosted by India participation with the International Community on Mega Science Projects like Facility for Anti Proton and Ion Research (FAIR), Facility for Synchrotron Radiation Source, etc.