High Level Research Promote Science and Technology

Introduction

Government has taken several measures to promote high level research in science and technology in Indian Universities and Institutes. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has engaged in high end research and has made significant contributions in many fields including aerospace, health care drugs & pharmaceuticals, food & food processing, energy etc. Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has implemented several integrated research programmes related to applications of biotechnology in agriculture, health care, environment and industrial development. Department of Science & Technology (DST) has supported frontier areas of research in several areas including nanoscience and nanotechnology, structural biology, computational and particle physics, green chemistry, mining and mineral engineering, molecular materials, solar energy, water etc. The infrastructural support programmes of DST such as Fund for Infrastructure Strengthening of S&T (FIST) and Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE), Consolidation of University Research, Innovation and Excellence (CURIE) for women only universities, special packages for regional balancing of R&D infrastructure ( for North East, J&K, Bihar etc) have helped several universities and institutes to augment their research capability and engage in high end research . National share of university sector in scientific publications has increased form 15% to 31% during the last 7 years. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has supported several high potential areas of research in polar science & cryosphere, climate change, ocean technology etc.

Development of critical technologies in space sector such as indigenous cryogenic engine, air breathing propulsion, microwave remote sensing, deep space tracking antenna system etc. and reactor technology have demonstrated the focused directions of Indian research taking place in universities and institutes. The Government has several plans to boost high quality scientific research in future. The priorities set for the XII Plan include stimulation of private sector engagement for investment into R&D; public-private partnerships for promotion of R&D and clean energy; enlarging research in the university sector. Steps are being taken to launch grand challenge mission mode programmes for application in biotechnology, healthcare, agriculture and other areas of national priorities including supercomputing facilities to enlarge the scope of quality research. Budgetary allocation for the S&T sector have increased from Rs. 25,301 crores in X plan to Rs.75,304 crores in XI Plan and Rs.1,20,430 crores in XII Plan.

Union Minister of Science &Technology and Earth Sciences Shri S.Jaipal Reddy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source

Press Information Bureau, March 11, 2013