Key Points

In an 'X' post, the Prime Minister mentioned that the step will add "vigour" to India's Research and Development ecosystem, with a focus on a culture of innovation as well as excellence.

"The Union Cabinet's approval for the DSIR Scheme "Capacity Building and Human Resource Development" will add vigour to India's R&D ecosystem, with a focus on a culture of innovation as well as excellence," Prime Minister Modi wrote on 'X'.

The Union cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research / Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR/CSIR) Scheme on "Capacity Building and Human Resource Development" with a total outlay of Rs 2277.397 crore for the period of the Fifteenth Finance Commission Cycle 2021-22 to 2025-26, an official press release.

The scheme is implemented by the CSIR and will cover all R&D institutions, national laboratories, Institutes of National Importance, Institutes of Eminence, and Universities across the country.

The initiative provides a wide platform for young, enthusiastic researchers aspiring to build careers in universities, industry, national R&D laboratories, and academic institutions. Guided by eminent scientists and professors, the scheme will foster growth in Science, Technology & Engineering, Medicine, and Mathematics (STEMM).

The Capacity Building and Human Resource Development Scheme plays an important role in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the S&T sector in India by increasing the researchers per million population. The Scheme has demonstrated its relevance by building capacity and expanding the pool of high-quality human resources in the S&T sector.

Concerted efforts put in Research and Development (R&D) in Science and Technology (S&T) by the Government of India during last decade, India has improved its position in the Global Innovation Index (GII) to 39th rank in 2024 as per the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) ranking which will further improve in near future under the visionary guidance of the Prime Minister of India.

As a result of government support for R&D, India is now among the top three countries in terms of scientific paper publications, according to NSF data from the USA. DSIR's scheme is supporting thousands of research scholars and scientists whose outputs have contributed significantly to India's S&T achievements.

This approval marks a historic milestone for the CSIR, celebrating 84 years of service to Indian scientific and industrial research through the implementation of the umbrella scheme, which accelerates the country's R&D progress for present and future generations.

CSIR umbrella scheme "Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (CBHRD) which has four sub-schemes such as (i) Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships (ii) the Extramural Research Scheme, the Emeritus Scientist Scheme, and the Bhatnagar Fellowship programme; (iii) Promotion and Recognition of Excellence through the Award Scheme; and (iv) Promoting knowledge sharing through the Travel and Symposia Grant Scheme.

This initiative reflects the government's commitment to building a robust, R&D-driven innovation ecosystem and preparing Indian science for global leadership in the 21st century.

- ANI