Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
Science & Technology › Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India · Topic 17.8
The Science and Engineering Research Board, SERB, is a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology set up by the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008, which began work in 2009. It gives grants to researchers in universities and research institutes for projects in science and engineering, and promotes basic research and international collaboration. The Secretary of DST is its Chairperson ex officio. Its schemes include the Core Research Grant, the SERB-POWER scheme for women scientists, the Ramanujan Fellowship, the J C Bose Fellowship, the Startup Research Grant and the Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 provides for a new apex body, and SERB is to be subsumed into it.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India
At a Glance
- Act SERB Act, 2008
- Parent DST
- Chair DST Secretary
- Women scheme SERB-POWER
- Successor body ANRF
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the account of the Survey of India. SERB is the main funder of research grants under DST and links the institutional part of the macro with the earlier topic on talent building. Previous topic: Survey of India. Next topic: Technology Development Board.
What Is SERB and What Does It Fund?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Establishment | Statutory body created by the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 (Act 17 of 2008), starting work in 2009 |
| Aim | To promote basic research in frontier areas of science and engineering and to give financial assistance to scientists, universities and institutions |
| Chair | The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology is the ex officio Chairperson, with eminent scientists as members |
| Core Research Grant | Main grant for research projects at universities and institutes |
| SERB-POWER | Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research, started in 2021, to give grants and fellowships to women scientists |
| Ramanujan Fellowship | For scientists of Indian origin abroad to return |
| J C Bose Fellowship | For eminent, active scientists |
What Other Schemes Exist and What Is Changing?
- Startup Research Grant: for young faculty to start research
- Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship: for Indian PhD students to work in foreign labs
- Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence: TARE, for teachers of state universities
- Early Career Research Award: for young researchers
- Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas: IRHPA, for large projects
- Matrics: Mathematical Research Impact Centric Support
- Accelerate Vigyan: a DST scheme for research training
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation: created by the ANRF Act, 2023 as an apex body with the Prime Minister as President, aiming to seed, grow and promote research, with Rs 50,000 crore over five years (2023 to 2028), of which most is expected from the private sector; the Act repeals the SERB Act and subsumes SERB
What Else Should You Remember?
- Peer review: projects are chosen by experts
- Research quality: number of papers and their impact
- Indian share of research output: India is among the top five in the number of research papers
- Research funding by sector: most R&D is funded by the Government
- Open access: One Nation One Subscription gives access to journals
- Women in research: about 15 percent in R&D jobs, a reason for SERB-POWER
- Science policy: see S&T Policy Resolutions of 1958, 1983, 2003 and 2013
- Department of Science and Technology: the parent body, as in Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- Collaborations: joint calls with foreign agencies
- Accountability: grants are audited and outcomes reviewed
- Equipment: funds for research facilities and instruments
- Pan India access: small institutions often struggle to win grants
- Block funding: critics ask for more stable funding
- National Research Foundation: proposed in the National Education Policy 2020
- Funding model: ANRF is to coordinate funds from industry and philanthropy
- Timeline: ANRF started working in 2024 and the transition of SERB schemes continues; check the current status
- Science diplomacy: international calls and fellowships
- Programme officers: SERB staff manage calls, reviews and monitoring of projects
- Statutory importance: a statutory board has a legal base and its own funds, unlike a scheme that can be changed by a government order
- Research Development and Innovation scheme: a Rs 1 lakh crore fund approved in 2025 to support private sector research, which links with the ANRF effort; check the details
- Gender gap: few women lead big grants, and special calls try to change that
- Core areas: physics, chemistry, life sciences, engineering, earth and atmospheric sciences and mathematics
- Reviewers: SERB uses expert panels from India and abroad
- Mentoring: fellowships come with mentoring from senior scientists
- National Postdoctoral Fellowship: a SERB scheme for young researchers after PhD
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Act: 2008
- Chair: DST Secretary
- Schemes: POWER, Ramanujan, JC Bose
- Current affairs link: ANRF Act, 2023
- Common errors: calling SERB non-statutory or placing it under CSIR
As an analytical point, a single, well funded research foundation can reduce duplication and bring private money into basic science. Safeguarding peer review and broad access for state universities will decide its success.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Law 2008 Act
- Schemes Grants
- Future ANRF
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Technology Development Board. Next topic: Technology Development Board.
Key People and Terms
- SERB Science and Engineering Research Board
- POWER Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research
- CRG Core Research Grant
- ANRF Anusandhan National Research Foundation
- Ex officio By virtue of office
- Peer review Expert evaluation
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- SERB Act: 2008; began 2009.
- Chair: DST Secretary.
- SERB-POWER: 2021.
- ANRF Act: 2023; Rs 50,000 crore.
- Statutory body.
Do Not Confuse With
- SERB and ANRF Existing board versus new apex foundation
- SERB and CSIR Grant maker versus laboratories
- Ramanujan and JC Bose Returning scientists versus eminent scientists
Memory Hook
Two-thousand-eight Act, DST Secretary chairs, POWER for women, ANRF is the heir.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for the Act, parent and schemes. These points help.
- Role Grants
- Women POWER
- Reform ANRF
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine the role of the Science and Engineering Research Board in promoting research and the changes brought by the ANRF Act, 2023.”
How to Answer
- SERB Act and role.
- Schemes POWER, fellowships.
- ANRF Merger.
- Challenges Access.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SERB?
The Science and Engineering Research Board is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, created by an Act of Parliament in 2008. It funds research projects, fellowships and international collaboration in science and engineering in universities and research institutions across India.
Who heads SERB?
The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology is the ex officio Chairperson of SERB, and its governing board includes eminent scientists, representatives of government departments and industry. A Secretary of SERB looks after day to day work.
What is SERB-POWER?
SERB-POWER, or Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research, is a scheme begun in 2021 to increase the participation of women in research. It offers research grants, fellowships and travel support, and gives special support for women scientists who face career breaks or work in institutions with limited resources.
What will happen to SERB under the ANRF Act, 2023?
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 sets up the ANRF as the apex body for funding research and repeals the SERB Act. SERB is to be subsumed into the foundation, whose president is the Prime Minister, and its activities are to be carried forward and expanded in the new structure.
What is the J C Bose Fellowship?
The J C Bose Fellowship is a SERB award to active, eminent scientists and engineers in recognition of their outstanding performance. It gives a monthly fellowship and a research grant for five years, so that senior scientists can pursue ambitious projects with more freedom.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 SERB was established by an Act of Parliament in 2008.
The SERB Act.
2 The Chairperson of SERB is the Director General of CSIR.
It is the DST Secretary.
3 SERB-POWER supports women in research.
Started in 2021.
4 ANRF was created by a law in 2023.
Replacing the SERB Act.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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