2-Feb-2021: Government has instituted several schemes/programmes aimed at encouraging young scientists to engage themselves with scientific activities / undertake research work
Government has instituted several schemes/programmes aimed at encouraging young scientists to engage themselves with scientific activities / undertake research work. Some of the notable programmes of the Ministry of Science and Technology targeted at young scientists include: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) of Department of Science and Technology (DST), National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) and Start-up Research Grant (SRG) of Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Research Fellowship Schemes of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Research Associateship, R&D project based Project Associates, Har Gobind Khorana- Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award of DBT etc. Ease of funding, speed of delivery, attractive fellowships, access to best research infrastructure and knowledge resource pool, recognition and mentoring in some schemes are some of the characteristics of the young scientist research programmes. The schemes are designed to identify promising young researchers and providing them with training and research opportunities in areas of science, engineering and mathematics. The schemes also provide them a platform to develop as independent researchers for taking up challenging research problems for the benefit of the country. Fund allocated / utilized exclusively for young scientist research programmes amounts to Rs. 3832.2 crore by the Ministry of Science and Technology during the last three years (2017-20).
The eligibility criteria for availing benefits of some of the notable young scientist schemes are given below:
|
Scheme / Programme (Department / Agency) |
Eligibility criteria for the applicant |
|
INSPIRE Faculty Fellow (DST) |
Indian citizens and people of Indian origin with PIO status having PhD degree from any recognized university in the world. Candidates shall possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks throughout their academic profile starting from the Higher Secondary Examination. Those who have submitted their PhD thesis and are awaiting the award of the degree are also eligible. Upper age limit of 32 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST categories. 42 years for persons with bench mark disability. |
|
National Postdoctoral Fellowship (SERB) |
Should be an Indian citizen. The applicant must have obtained Ph.D./M.D/M.S degree or have submitted PhD/M.D/M.S thesis. Upper age limit of 35 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories. |
|
Start-up Research Grant (SERB) |
Should be an Indian citizen. Foreign Nationals (including PIO, OCI), working as regular employee in any of the public funded and recognized R&D laboratories/institutions in India, are eligible to apply in collaboration with an Indian scientist, provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria notified by SERB. Should hold PhD degree in Science or Engineering or M.D. / M.S. / M.D.S. / M.V.Sc. degree. Should hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution or national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institutions. Should apply within two years of joining the institution. Upper age limit of 42 years with relaxation of three years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories. |
|
Ramanujan Fellowship (SERB) |
Open to brilliant Indian scientists and engineers working abroad. The applicant should possess a higher degree or equivalent, such as PhD in Science/ Engineering, Masters in Engineering or Technology/ MD in Medicine, etc. and have adequate professional experience. Upper age limit of 40 years. |
|
Teacher Associate-ship for Research Excellence (SERB) |
Should be Indian citizen residing in India holding PhD degree in Science or MS / MD in Medicine or M.E. / MTech. in Engineering / Technology. Should hold a regular academic / research position in State Universities/ Colleges and private Academic Institutions. Upper age limit of 45 years with relaxation of five years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories. |
|
Fellowship / Associate-ship (CSIR) |
Junior Research Fellowships are awarded to candidates holding BS-4 years program/BE/B. Tech/B. Pharma/MBBS/ Integrated BS-MS/M.Sc. or Equivalent degree/B.Sc. (Hons) or equivalent degree holders or students enrolled in integrated MS-Ph.D. program with at least 55% marks for General & OBC (50% for SC/ST candidates, Physically and Visually handicapped candidates) after qualifying the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by CSIR. Upper age limit of 28-40 years. |
|
Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship (DBT) |
Should possess a PhD/MD or equivalent degree with an outstanding track record. Only candidates (Indian nationals) working overseas are eligible to apply. Those who have already returned to India within one year of the closing date of the advertisement but without a job are also eligible. Upper age limit of 45 years. |
|
Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (DBT) |
Should be an Indian citizen with excellent academic credentials. Should have a PhD in any branch of life sciences, computational sciences (applied to biotechnology, medicine or biological sciences), veterinary sciences, pharmaceutical sciences and agricultural sciences. Master degree holders in medicine or dentistry (MD/MS/MDS or IMC designated equivalent) and engineering/technology (M. Tech or AICTE designated equivalent) are also eligible. Upper age limit of 35 years of age with relaxation of 5 years to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged/Women categories. |
A number of quality publications in high impact journals and patents have emanated from the Young Scientist’s projects. The schemes have helped many young researchers in the progress of their career in S&T, regular placement in academic / research institutions and industry. They also received recognition in the form of awards, membership in science and engineering academies and have continued to contribute significantly towards India science and technology.
The fellowships, awards as mentioned above offer liberal financial support in the form of fellowship ranging from Rs. 31,000/- to Rs. 1,35,000/- per month to scientists who are not in regular service, depending upon their qualification and nature of the scheme. The fellowship of research personnel (Junior / Senior Research Fellow, Research Associate) engaged in R&D Programmes of the Central Government Departments / Agencies had been enhanced 24-35% with effect from 1st January 2019.
13-May-2019: Young Scientist Programme (Yuvika-2019) Inaugurated
Dr K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO inaugurated the Young Scientist Programme (Yuvika-2019) through video mode from ISRO Headquarters, Bengaluru on May 13, 2019.
A total of 110 students representing every State and Union Territory of India are participating in this programme. The participating students will attend the two weeks residential training programme at four centres/units of ISRO/DOS, namely, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram; U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru; Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad and North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Shillong. The participants will also be visiting Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, the spaceport of India, during this programme.
YUVIKA Program is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities. The two week long residential training programme will cover invited talks and experience sharing by the eminent scientists, facility and lab visits, hands on training, exclusive sessions for discussions with experts and a feedback session.
While inaugurating the programme, Chairman, ISRO, mentioned that it is a very important science programme for students. He said that this programme would help in inculcating scientific temper of the student. He reiterated that Science and Technology is an essential component for the development of any country and plays a major role for improving the quality of life including safety and security of human beings. Dr. Sivan also touched upon the applications of Space technology and how this technology is helping in the day to day activities of common man besides ensuring safety of life and property during disaster situations. Chairman, ISRO also said that programmes like this will lead to national integration and nation building. He wished that YUVIKA programme should produce a good number of scientists every year. Dr. Sivan wished all the students good luck and promised to meet them during “YUVIKA-SAMWAD” session at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota on May 17, 2019.
26-Mar-2019: YUva VIgyani KAryakram (Young Scientist Programme)
Indian Space Research Organisation has launched a special programme for School Children called "Young Scientist Programme" "YUva VIgyani KAryakram" from this year, in tune with the Government's vision "Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan".
The Program is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities. The program is thus aimed at creating awareness amongst the youngsters who are the future building blocks of our Nation. ISRO has chalked out this programme to "Catch them young".
The programme will be of two weeks duration during summer holidays (second half of May 2019) and the schedule will include invited talks, experience sharing by the eminent scientists, facility and lab visits, exclusive sessions for discussions with experts, practical and feedback sessions.
It is proposed to select 3 students each from each State/ Union Territory to participate in this programme covering CBSE, ICSE and State syllabus.
There are a few seats left for the programme and it is proposed to select through online registration. Those who have just completed 9th standard (in the academic year 2018-19) and waiting to join 10th Std (or just joined 10th Std) will be eligible for the online registration.
The selection is based on the 8th Standard academic performance and extracurricular activities. The selection criteria is given below.
|
Sl. No |
Description |
Weightage |
|
1 |
Performance in the 8th Std Examination |
50% |
|
2 |
Membership of Science Club/Space Club |
5% |
|
3 |
Prize in any school based individual extracurricular activity (Elocution/Debate/Essay Writing, science quiz, computer modeling, scientific prototype model making, etc.,) at District/State/National/ International Level (The higher level will be considered for weightage) |
2/4/6/10% |
|
4 |
Winners of District/State/National/International Level sports activities (The higher level will be considered for weightage) |
2/4/6/10% |
|
5 |
Scout and Guides/NCC/NSS Member |
5% |
|
6 |
Studying in Village/Rural School (Certificate of proof to this effect to be produced from the head of the school . Criteria: The school, where the candidate is studying should be located in Panchayath Area) |
20% |
|
Total |
100% |
Students belonging to the rural area have been given special weightage in the selection criteria. In case there is tie between the selected candidates, the younger candidates will be given priority.
A few seats are left for the programme and the interested students can register online with the link given below from 25 March 2019 (1800 hrs.) to 03 April 2019 (1800 hrs.). The list of the provisionally selected candidates from each state will be announced on 06 April 2019. The provisionally selected candidates will be requested to send the attested copies of the relevant certificates through E-mail. After verifying the relevant certificates the final selection list will be published on 13 April 2019.
The programme is planned at 4 centres of ISRO during the second half of May 2019. The selected students will be accommodated in ISRO guest houses/hostels. Expenditure towards the travel of student (II AC fare by train from nearest Rly Station to the reporting centre and back), course material, lodging and boarding etc., during the entire course will be borne by ISRO. II AC fare will also be provided to one guardian/parent for drop and pick up of student from the reporting centre.