Inter-Ministerial Empowered Committee to incentivise quality of research

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New Delhi : The Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests & Climate Change Dr Harsh Vardhan, in a statement released on January 31, 2019, expressed happiness that for the first time, the Government has also recommended a set of strong financial and academic incentives to enhance and recognise the performance of research fellows. Science & Technology is a fast moving area in which a dynamic and holistic vision is required to secure the future of the nation and this will be a performance based addition to the enhanced fellowship, the minister added.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on January 31, Secretary Department of Science & Technology (DST), Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, said that an Empowered Inter-Ministerial committee is to examine all the fellowship matters that have a bearing on enhancing the value, quality and experience of doctoral research including the quantum of fellowship, which will not only widen the scope of training but also enhance the career prospects of research fellows. The current hike announced on January 30, 2019, will also be reviewed periodically, possibly annually, which is to be decided, by the empowered group that is being set up, he added.

DST Secretary Sharma said there are various schemes to promote global exchange of researchers including the scheme called  Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme (VAJRA). VAJRA is a dedicated programme exclusively for overseas scientists and academicians with emphasis on Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) / Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to work as adjunct / visiting faculty for a specific period of time in Indian Public funded academic and research institutions.

Joining him, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Renu Swarup and the Director General, CSIR and Secretary Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Dr Shekhar C Mande said the research fellowship is not a salary in career but is in the form of stipend while they are still in a career path which could lead to a great progress.

The government on January 30, 2019, announced that the fellowship of Ph.D students and other research personnel enrolled in any area of science and technology including Physical and Chemical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Life Sciences, Pharmacy etc.  has been enhanced with effect from January 1, 2019.

The hike in fellowship will directly benefit over 60,000 Research Fellows and also provide a template to the States to consider increase in their fellowship rates. Fellowship of the Junior Research Fellows in the first two years of Ph.D programme is increased from the current rate of Rs.25,000 to Rs.31,000 per month. Similarly, in the remaining tenure of Ph.D, Senior Research Fellow will get Rs 35,000 per month instead of the present Rs 28,000 per month.

Further, there is substantial 30-35% enhancement in the financial rewards for the scientists involved in the R&D projects as Research Associates. The top bracket of Research Associateship is fixed at Rs 54,000. All the research fellows are also entitled to HRA as per Central Government norms, according to a PIB release