"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 NationalMissions/ Priorities.

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

Support given so far

1.14 Universities for supported in FY 2009-10.

2. 30 more universities supported in FY 2011-12

3. 2^ndTerm Support to 14 Universities in FY 2014-15

4 Identified 30 more universities for support in FY 2016-17

5. In the year 2020, 4 New Universities are supported Under the PURSE 2020 (Afterreorientation in the year 2020 )

6 In the year 2021,4Universities are supported Under the PURSE 2021

7 In the year 2022 Special drive was carried out for North Eastern Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan .12 Universities are Selected for support under this special Drive

8.  In the year VISHWAVIDYALAYA ANUSANDHAN UTSAV 2023 was organized by DST

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

Result of PURSE 2023 Program Recommended65.03 KB

Result of PURSE 2023 Program proposals Non-Recommended52.05 KB

Call of DST-PURSE for the year 2024

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