Improving Research Ecosystem in India

The central government has launched the following schemes to improve the research ecosystem in India:

Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship

To attract the bright and meritorious students into research within the country, the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship has been initiated. Students selected for the fellowship are given fellowship for 5 years – Rs.70,000/- per month for the first two years, Rs. 75,000/- per month in the third year and Rs.80,000 per month in 4th and 5th year with an annual research grant of Rs. 2 lakh.

Setting up of Research Parks

The Government has approved setting up of Research Parks at IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Gandhinagar and IISc Banglore.

Impacting research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT)

IMPRINT India scheme aims to provide solutions to the most relevant engineering challenges and translating knowledge into viable technology (products or processes) in ten selected technology domains.

Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY)

Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana has been launched to promote innovation of a higher order that directly impacts the needs of the Industry and thereby improves the competitive edge of Indian manufacturing.

Smart India Hackathons

Smart India Hackathons are organized on yearly basis since 2017 to find out digital solutions to various problems faced by the people and gives hands-on working and research opportunity for engineering students.

Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC)

Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) have been established in 960 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) for promoting the innovation ecosystem within their campuses.

Trainee Teacher Scheme

A Trainee Teacher Scheme has been initiated in NITs with the objective to attract, motivate and sponsor best graduate engineers for part-time M.Tech and PhD programmes.
Further schemes like Colleges with Potential for Excellence (CPE), University with Potential for Excellence(UPE), Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Areas(CPEPA), Special Assistance Programme (SAP), Major Research Project (MRP) have been initiated by the government to boost the research ecosystem in the country.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2019