Central Government Departments

 

Frequently Asked Questions of Science and Technology Department

What is the role of DST in societal development?

A large numbers of interdisciplinary project of multisectoral nature are supported leading to technological empowerment and capacity building for sustainable livelihood. DST also has programmes to help S&T personnel towards self-employment and entrepreneurship.

How does the DST programme help students to start up their ventures?

Programmes like Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) and Technology Business Incubator (TBI’s) help the students in their startup by providing necessary support in the form of infrastructure, technical input and academic linkages.

What is the critical role of DST?

The DST is the nodal department of Government in India for the co-ordination of overall R&D programmes of the Government. The Department is responsible for conceptualization and implementation of S&T programmes. It formulates S&T policy and advices Government on matters related to S&T.

Is their any scheme for infrastructural development of R&D institutions?

Yes, there is a fund available for improvement of S&T infrastructure for R&D institutions under its FIST programme.

How does DST supports state level S&T ?

DST has established state S&T councils in almost all states in the country for planning, coordinating and monitoring S&T activities at state level

Is their any web portal for information dissemination?

Several portal are available, Mention of these portals are made at appropriate places in this website. Some of the useful portals are TIMEIS, NSTEDB, Vigyan Prasar, Science and Society etc

Is their any programme available for young scientists?

Yes, Young Scientists can take up R&D Programme, through institutions
Eg: Young Scientist Scheme under SERC Programmes

In which fields R&D support is available?

For Physical Science, Mathematical Science, Chemical Science, Life Science and Engineering Science

Are there any programs for young students at school level?

Kishore Vigyan Prothoshan Yojana is available for 10th and +2 students to take up the Research Development as a Carrier.

Is any support available for commercialization of indigenous technology?
Technology Development Board is supporting for the commercialization of indigenous technology by providing grants as well as soft loans .

What is the role of DST in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) ?

DST is providing assistance to S&T community for patenting their research work, nationally as well as internationally through Patent Facility Cell.

What are specific S&T programmes under National Common Minimum Programme?

Under this programme DST is strengthening S&T Infrastructure, specialized research facility in high priority areas and S&T mission schemes.

Does DST recognize exceptional efforts made under S&T in general?

Recognition is given through the national award in the fields of S&T entrepreneurship science popularization, technology development, S&T for women

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Women Scientists Programs in the Department of Science and Technology

DST’s Scholarship Scheme for Women Scientists and Technologists

Preamble

Women constitute an important section of the workforce. However, the present situation of a large number of well-qualified women scientists who due to various circumstances have been left out of the S&T activities needs to be addressed. The problems faced are several but, significantly, most often the “break in their careers” arises out of motherhood and family responsibilities. The option for revival of their profession is presently unavailable due to restrictions in age and qualification and no system at present addresses these issues.

The “Women Scientists Scheme (WOS)” has been evolved in this context, by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for providing opportunities to women scientists and technologists between the age group of 30-50 years who desire to return to mainstream science and work as bench-level scientists. Through this endeavour of the Department, a concerted effort would be made to give women a strong foothold into the scientific profession, help them re-enter into the mainstream and provide a launch pad for further forays into the field of science and technology, both from the point of view of pure science and its application to societal development.

Under this scheme, women scientists are being encouraged to pursue research in frontier areas of science and engineering, on problems of societal relevance and to take up S&T-based internship followed by self-employment.

Category of Scholarships

Three categories of scholarships, with research grants, are available for Indian citizen. Scholarships are envisaged in both institutional and non-institutional modes. Under the institutional mode, national and state-level organizations, recognized universities, educations and R&D laboratories would be considered for grant by the Department.

S&T - based Non-Government, Voluntary and Non-Profit organisation, working on societal issues and having the legal status of a registered society would be considered under the non-institutional mode,

The various categories of Scholarship available are indicated below:

i. Scholarship for Research in Basic/Applied Science (WOS-A)
ii. Scholarship for Research in S&T - based Societal Programs (WOS-B)
iii. Internship for the Self-Employment (WOS-C)

The scheme is meant to encourage women candidates, preferably those having a break in career and not having regular employment. Qualification for the scholarships are as follows

WOS-A: This category of scholarships are meant to encourage women scientists to pursue R&D in emerging and frontier areas of Science and Engineering. The women scientists will be provided flexibility to undertake research at a suitable institution depending on their area of interest. These scholarships are expected to provide opportunities to women scientists to get into scientific profession so that they are able to contribute to Science and Technology development. The overall concept is to ensure that large numbers of women scientists enter scientific activity in the country. DST has vast experience in promoting basic research in frontier areas of Science and Engineering and this new initiative will go a long way in bringing a large number of women scientists towards contributing to basic research.

Eligibility

The minimum essential qualification are PG degree equivalent to MSc in Basic or Applied Science, B Tech in Engineering Sciences and MBBS or other equivalent professional qualifications. The desirable qualifications are Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Science, M Tech in Engineering Sciences and MD/MS, DM/MCH in Medical Sciences from recognized Universities. Maximum age limits for these scholarships are 35 and 50 years for post graduate and doctorate candidates respectively.

The selected candidates will be given upto Rs. 20,000/- pm as Research Scholarship. This would be part of a research project which will also have provisions for small pieces of equipment, contingencies, travel, consumables and institutional overhead charges. The upper limit on Cost of these projects including the scholarship amount would be Rs. 17 lakhs for a period of three years.

WOS-B: This scholarship is specially intended to encourage women scientists involved in research and application of innovative solutions for various societal issues. This scholarship would be made available to the aspiring women scientists willing to work for the search, design, adaptation and demonstration of Science and Technological skills and techniques for improving the income generating activity and reducing drudgery of weaker sections of our society in different occupations, capacity building on the societal programs at the grassroot level etc.

Eligibility

The minimum essential qualifications are PG degree equivalent to M.Sc in basic or Applied Science, B Tech in Engineering Science and MBBS or other equivalent professional qualifications. The desirable qualifications are PhD in Basic or Applied Science, M.Tech in Engineering Science and MD/MS, DM/MCH in Medical Science from recognized Universities. Cut off age for the candidate is 50 years. The candidates should also have working experience and linkages with the relevant organization to carry out research on R&D projects of societal relevance

The selected candidate will be awarded upto Rs. 15,000/- pm as Research Scholarships and a research grant up to a maximum limit of Rs. 15 lakhs including the scholarship amount for a period of three years to cover the cost of small equipment, travel, contingencies, consumables and institutional overhead charges.

WOS-C: This category is mainly focused to provide an opportunity to women scientists for self-employment by utilizing their specialized domain knowledge in areas such as patenting, proof reading, science journalism, technical translation, clinical pathology labs, medical transcription etc. The objective of this scholarship is to create a large pool of trained women workforce with experience in the diverse areas mentioned above and building up a professional network.

Eligibility

Essential qualifications are MSc/BTech/MBBS for training in S&T based specialized courses (e.g. patent related issues, management courses, publishing activities, science journalism, clinical pathology labs, proof reading for science books/journals, bio technology industry also specific to the rural sectors, science translation, medical transcription etc.).

Period of internship would not be more than one year. Minimum qualifying age for the candidates should not be less than 26 years.

The candidates must have break in career and a potential for self- employment. The candidate must be associated with some institution, industry, NGO etc. for getting trained in the subject area.

A scholarship of Rs. 10,000/- pm will be awarded during the internship period.

 

International S&T Cooperation Department of Science and Technology

The Science & Technology International Cooperation Division deals with the International Scientific and Technological Affairs including the negotiations and implementation of Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreements and responsibility for scientific and technological aspects of activities of international organizations. The co-operations are sought under bilateral, multilateral or regional framework modes for facilitating and strengthening interactions among governments, academia, institutions and industries in areas of mutual interest. The Division operates in close cooperation with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, Foreign missions in India and UN bodies. Science Counsellors are also posted in Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo and Washington to facilitate cooperation with respective countries to which they are accredited. India currently has bilateral S&T cooperation agreements with following countries/groupings.

Australia;Argentina; Armenia; ASEAN; Bangladesh; Belarus; Brazil; Bulgaria; Canada; China; Cuba; Egypt; European Union; France; Germany; Hungary; Indonesia; Iran; Israel; Italy; Japan;Korea(DPR);Kazakhstan;Lao;Malaysia;Mauritius;Mexico;Mongolia;Mozambique; Myanmar;Nepal; Oman;Peru;Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Republic of Korea;Romania; Russia; Singapore; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Switzerland; Syria; Taiwan; Tajikistan;Thailand; Trinidad & Tobago; Tunisia; Ukraine; United Kingdom; United States; Uzbekistan; Vietnam;Venezuela;Yemen,Zambia.

Multilateral Programmes are being implemented under South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation); and IOR - ARC (Indian Ocean Rim - Association for Regional Cooperation), STEPAN; UNESCO;TWAS(Third World Academy of Sciences); and IBSA(India,Brazil,SouthAfrica) .

The collaborations in selected areas of mutual interest with different countries are materialized through various modes of cooperation like:

1. Exploratory missions of scientific delegations;

2. Exchange visits of scientists for collaborative work and information exchange;

3. Joint workshops;

4. Fellowships / training / study visits for Indian scientists abroad and foreign scientists in India;

5. Development and implementation of joint R&D programmes, Joint projects and collaborative R&D programmes;

6. Support to Indian scientists to access major international research facilities abroad; and

7. Establishment of Joint Centers of Excellence.

 

S&T and Socio Economic Development Programmes of Science and Technology Department

1. National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC)

2. Science and Society Program (SSP)

3. National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB)

4. Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS)

5. State Science & Technology Programme

 

Technology Development of Science and Technology

1. Instrumentation Development Programme

2. Technology Development Board

3. Joint Technology Programme

i. Inter-Sectoral Science & Technology Advisory Committee (STAC /IS-STAC)

ii. Technology Systems

4. Drugs & Pharmaceutical Research

5. Patent Facilitating Centre

6. Good Laboratory Practice Authority

 

Scientific & Engineering Research Programmes of Department of Science and Technology

1. Science & Engineering Research Council

2. Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA)

3. Nanoscience & Technology Initiative (NSTI)

4. Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions (FIST)

5. Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIFs)

6. Human Resource Development and Nurturing Young Talent.

i. Swarnajayanti Fellowships

ii. Fast Track Scheme For Young Scientists (FAST)

iii. Better Opportunities for Young Scientists in Chosen Areas of Science and Technology (BOYSCAST)

7. Women Scientists Programs

8. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana

9. Partial Financial Assistance for Participation in Conferences Abroad

10. Assistance to Professional Bodies & Seminar/Symposia

11. Earth System Sciences

12. Mathematical Sciences Office

13. Seismicity Programme

14. Utilization of the Scientific Expertise of Retired Scientists (USERS)

15. National Science & Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS)

 

Introduction to Department of Science & Technology

Department of Science & Technology (DST) was established in May 1971, with the objective of promoting new areas of Science & Technology and to play the role of a nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in the country. The Department has major responsibilities for specific projects and programmes as listed below:

i. Formulation of policy statements and guidelines on science and technology; and coordination of areas of science and technology, in which a number of institutions and departments have interests and capabilities;
ii. Support to basic and applied research in national institutions throughout the country and provision of minimum infrastructural facilities for testing and instrumentation;
iii. Support to critical technology programmes;
iv. Support to autonomous research institutions, whose specialisation range from advanced medical research materials to astronomy;
v. Fostering international cooperation and establishment of special joint centres/projects;
vi. Support socially oriented S&T interventions in rural areas for weaker sections;
vii. Support knowledge-based and innovation driven entrepreneurship development to create self-employment opportunities;
viii. Popularisation of science and technology;
ix. Providing scientific services in terms of surveying and maps for Defence, External Affairs, State Governments and several other developmental agencies through Survey of India (SOI) and National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO);
x. Providing meteorological services for Agriculture, Water Resources Management, Disaster Warning, Civil Aviation as well as providing seismicity data through India Meteorological Department (IMD); and
xi. Management of Information Systems for Science and Technology;

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