Government has instituted several schemes/programmes aimed at encouraging young scientists to engage themselves with scientific activities / undertake research work
The schemes have helped many young researchers in the progress of their career in S&T, regular placement in academic / research institutions and industry
Young Scientist Research Programme
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. / M.Tech. 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.
This information was given by the Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan in the Rajya Sabha today.