GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION No. 55
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19-11-2007

INNOVATION IN SCIENCE PURSUIT FOR INSPIRED RESEARCH PROGRAMME

55. SHRI C. PERUMAL:

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

(a) whether it is a fact that Government have planned to initiate Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research Programme for the promotion of research activities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the fiscal allocation for this programme; and
(d) the number of scientists and research scholars expected to be selected under this programme, State-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES

(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 55 FOR 19.11.2007 REGARDING "INNOVATION IN SCIENCE PURSUIT FOR INSPIRED RESEARCH PROGRAMME"

(a) to (d): Yes, Sir. The Government of India has mounted a special scholarship scheme titled "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research" (INSPIRE) to attract talented youth to study and careers with science. The main features of the INSPIRE are: (a) Scheme for Early Attraction of Talents for Science (SEATS) providing Science innovation scholarship of Rs 5000 for a total of one million young learners of the age group 10-15 years once in their school career during the next five years for experiencing the joy of innovations. This includes with a mentorship through global science leader including Nobel prize winners and Indian leaders in science through a summer camp for the top 1% performers in the Class X examination every year for a period of five years; (b) Scholarships for Higher Education (SHE) for the age group of 17-22 years targets 10,000 fellowships per year @ Rs 1.0 lakh per year for continuing science education at BSc and MSc levels and c) Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC) for the age group of 22-32 years for 5 years doctoral research backed by an assured research career opportunity scheme for a another period of five years after their PhD in sciences. About 1000 young people in each category would be considered under this program.

The allocation in 2007-08 for the above programmes is Rs. 110 crore including Rs. 100 crore allocation for SHE. The scheme envisages that the available number of scholarships would be distributed to students from various boards based on total number of students taking their examinations in the respective Boards.