Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence(PURSE)

"Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)" is one of the Flagship Infrastructure programs of Department of Science and Technology, which was commenced in the year 2009 exclusively for the University sector. The main objective of the scheme is to strengthen the research capacity of performing Indian Universities and provide support for nurturing the research ecosystem and strengthening the R&D base of the Universities in the country. Department of Science & Technology has restructured and re-oriented PURSE in the year 2020.  A combination of I₁₀ index of faculty members in the University, H index of the University along with NIRF Ranking is used to formulate the new criteria for selection of Universities under PURSE. Universities have been encouraged to carry out Mission mode research activities to focus on thrust areas which align with National priorities of Excellence in Manufacturing, Waste processing, Clean Energy, Water and Start up India. Universities are encouraged to harness their areas of excellence into thematic effort of an accomplished team, with clearly articulated objectives. The broad objective is to support potentially high impact, interdisciplinary research (both basic and applied) aligned to national priorities and missions. The research should also align well with goals of Self-Reliant India (Atma Nirbhar Bharat) and Start-up India etc. Universities supported under PURSE have been communicated to promote optimal utilization of these resources through a public notice. Programme Management Board comprising eminent academicians is involved in the process of evaluation of fresh proposals, reviews the technical progress and suggest mid-course correction’s in supported projects under PURSE.

Nature of Support: The Scheme will provide the support to acquire research facilities, research man- power cost, acquiring research consumables, funds for travel, organizing workshops and conferences, contingencies and maintenance of the facilities. Universities are encouraged to harness their areas of excellence into an inter-disciplinary thematic effort of an accomplished team, with clearly articulated objectives. Proposals towards individual R&D support would not be accepted under this Scheme. The synergy and focus of research may preferably be aligned to National Missions/ Priorities.

Duration: The duration of support for PURSE Project will be for a period of 4 years.

Eligibility: The Scheme is exclusively for the University sector. Other academic Institutions/ IITs/NITs/IISERS/Colleges are not eligible to apply under the Scheme. UGC Recognized Central Universities/ State Funded Universities/Deemed Universities and Private Universities are eligible to apply under the Scheme. The eligible university should not have received major funding from UGC or government major funding of more than Rs 10.0 crores in the last 5 years, or should not have received support under SAIF/ SATHI or PURSE program of DST in the last 10 years from the date of sanction order. All other agency-based Universities are excluded from the scope of PURSE support.

Impact and Outreach:

Over the past 15 years, DST has proactively supported 91 universities, including:

• 21 Central Universities
• 54 State Universities
• 16 Private Universities

These institutions have significantly contributed to high-impact research in both basic and applied sciences, addressing national and global challenges.

PURSE supported Universities

Some of the Success stories

PURSE Program Video

Video - Success story of PURSE Program, DST implemented at MG University

PURSE Program, DST implemented at Panjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana

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