IDENTIFYING YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND ENCOURAGING RESEARCH
Department of Science and Technology has taken several initiatives to support young scientists which include:
Scheme for Young Scientists and Technologists programme (SYST) focusses on encouraging young scientists and technologists to work towards delivery of science and technology (S&T) led solutions for identified socioeconomic challenges. In the last five years (2021 through 2025, inclusive), 120 young scientists have been supported under SYST.
WISE – Fellowship for Ph.D. programme aims to provide opportunity to carry out doctoral research in basic and applied sciences to women scientists and technologists between the age group of 27-45 years who want to pursue research in STEM fields as bench-level scientist. It provides opportunity to women to pursue higher education, i.e., Ph.D. through independent project grant. In the last five years, 241 young scientists have been supported through WISE Fellowship for Ph.D.
Vigyan Jyoti Programme aims to inspire and empower girls to pursue careers in STEM, bridging the gender gap. It provides a supportive ecosystem for girls pursuing science from school to college and enhances Access to Knowledge & Opportunities by collaborating with Knowledge Partners (KPs) including IITs, CSIR labs, NITs, IISERs, AIIMS, and other esteemed institutions. Through periodic activities, Vigyan Jyoti provides exposure to cutting-edge advancements and facilitate interactions with experts, inspiring VJ scholars to pursue careers in STEM. In the last five years, 1,12,682 students have been supported under the Vigyan Jyoti Programme.
CSRI-Post-Doctoral Fellowship (CSRI-PDF) Programme under the ‘Cognitive Science Research Initiative’ provides opportunities to young scientists (below 40 years) for pursuing innovative research in frontier areas of Cognitive Science. In the last five years, 20 young scientists have been supported under CSRI-PDF.
The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme aims to attract meritorious youth to study basic and natural sciences at the college and university level and to pursue research careers in both basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture and veterinary sciences spread across all States/UTs across the country. The ultimate aim is to expand the R&D base of the country. It has the following fellowships aimed specifically at young scientists:
Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) which aims to enhance the rate of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programs by providing scholarships and mentoring through summer attachment with leading researchers. The scheme offers 12,000 Scholarships every year of Rs 0.80 lakh per year for 5 years for undertaking Bachelor and Masters level education in natural and basic sciences for the talented youth in the age group 17-22 years. In the last five years, 53,097 students have been supported through SHE.
INSPIRE Fellowship is offered to students having secured 1st rank in Basic & Applied Sciences including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary at the University/ academic institute of national importance i.e. IITs, NITs, IISERs level examination as well as Inspire Scholars having secured 70% marks in aggregate at the MSc level who are eligible for admission to the PhD Program in any recognized university/ academic institution in the country. In the last five years, 3101 young scientists have been supported through INSPIRE fellowship.
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship provides opportunities to the post-doctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 years for 5 years in both basic and applied sciences area including engineering, agriculture, veterinary and medicine. In the last five years, 482 young scientists have been supported through INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is implementing the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG), National Postdoctoral Fellowship (NPDF), Ramanujan Fellowship and International Travel Support (ITS) to identify and support young scientists in India.
This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.(UPDATED ON 29TH JANUARY 2026)