The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a Rs 2,277 crore umbrella scheme to strengthen India’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will implement the Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (CBHRD) scheme, with a budget of Rs 2,277.397 crore allocated for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). The initiative aims to nurture scientific talent, promote innovation, and prepare India for global leadership in science and technology.
The CBHRD scheme encompasses four sub-schemes: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships, Extramural Research and Emeritus Scientist Schemes, including the Bhatnagar Fellowship, an award scheme for recognising excellence, and a Travel and Symposia Grant Scheme to foster knowledge sharing. It will support researchers across R&D institutions, national laboratories, Institutes of National Importance, and universities. “This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a robust R&D-driven innovation ecosystem,” said Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, noting its focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Medical, and Mathematical Sciences (STEMM).
Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X, stated that the scheme would “add vigour to India’s R&D ecosystem” by promoting a culture of innovation and excellence. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh emphasised that the programme, guided by eminent scientists, would train researchers and drive scientific advancements, contributing to a “future-ready India”. The scheme supports thousands of research scholars whose work has bolstered India’s scientific achievements, including its rise to the third rank globally in scientific paper publications, as per the U.S. National Science Foundation.
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India’s position in the Global Innovation Index improved to 39th in 2024, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation, reflecting the government’s sustained investment in R&D. The CBHRD scheme is expected to further enhance India’s innovation landscape by providing young researchers opportunities to build careers in academia, industry, and national laboratories, positioning the country as a global leader in 21st-century science and technology.
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