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Attractive: Researchers are being promised a better deal.

In his reply to a question on brain drain in the country, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said in Parliament recently that scientists head overseas in view of better opportunities available for higher education and employment in the emerging areas of science and technology.

Mr. Sibal said that increasing opportunities in India have attracted many scientists back to India, particularly in some of the high-tech areas such as information technology.

“Availability of Indian diaspora overseas has also been of great help in undertaking joint research projects/ventures in the country. The Government has taken a number of initiatives and measures in order to improve the working conditions of scientists to encourage their return,” he said.

A hike in the research fellowships was one among the several steps being introduced to retain the available talent in the country. According to officials of the Department of Science and Technology, the revision took into account the need for redesigning the research fellowships for meeting the needs of a competitive market environment for talent. Besides revision of fellowships, the scientific department recommended that a candidate who qualified the national eligibility test (NET) examination or its equivalent for admission to do Ph.D. should get a fellowship amount of Rs.12,000. All eligible candidates admitted in different disciplines to do Ph.D. might be covered under a suitable fellowship programme in a phased manner.

Fellowships to candidates, other than those qualified in NET or equivalent examination, admitted to pursue Ph.D. in the institutions, recognised by relevant science and technology agencies, would be covered by the University Grants Commission norms.

The revised fellowship rates are (in the order of category, current fellowship and approved fellowship): Junior Research Fellowship/Senior Research Fellowship – Rs. 8,000/Rs. 12,000; Junior Research Fellowship/Senior Research Fellowship (Professional) – Rs. 9,500/ Rs. 14,000. Research Associate (category 1) – Rs. 11,000/ Rs.16, 000. Research Associate (category 2) – Rs.11,500/Rs.17,000. Research Associate (category 3) – Rs.12,000/Rs.18,000.

The Government has also launched innovative schemes to motivate scientists of Indian origin living abroad to come back to India or to leverage their scientific expertise for the growth of scientific research and development in the country.

The Ramanujan Fellowships of Department of Science and Technology (DST) have been instituted to attract outstanding scientists and engineers from all over the world to take up scientific research positions in India.

Collaborative Projects with Scientists and Technologists of Indian Origin Abroad Programme (CP-STIO Programme) of Department of Science and Technology enables scientists and technologists of Indian origin living abroad to visit India for a brief period and carry out research activities jointly with Indian scientists.

K.S Krishna Research Associateship of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) provides career opportunities in the units of DAE for scientists from India or abroad. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through its Talent Search Scheme for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) appoints qualified and suitable NRIs as scientist in various grades in DRDO depending on their experience. The Department of Biotechnology has instituted the Ramalingaswamy Fellowship for scientists of Indian origin settled in any part of the world who would like to come back and carry out their research in India.

The Government has also included a new scheme called INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) in the 11th Five Year Plan. Major features of the proposed scheme include innovation funding in schools (one million young innovators) and summer camps with science icons (for high performers).

It would also provide opportunity schemes for proven talent force and help in retention of talent in public funded research through public-private partnerships. In addition, another new scheme on scholarships for science in higher education will be initiated in the 11 the Five Year Plan. The scheme targets institution of 10,000 fellowships of Rs.1 lakh per year for bright students in science streams during their B.Sc./M.Sc. courses.

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