Science and Technology as a Source of Human Resource Development
Science & Technology › Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India · Topic 17.3
Science and technology contribute to human resource development by training scientists, engineers and teachers, by improving skills, health and productivity and by building a scientific temper in society. Government schemes seek to attract talent at every stage. The INSPIRE scheme of the Department of Science and Technology, launched in 2008, offers awards and scholarships to school and college students and fellowships to researchers. The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana, begun in 1999, supported science students until it was discontinued after 2022 and replaced by INSPIRE-SHE. The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, set up from 2006, combine teaching with research. Fellowships such as the Ramanujan, J C Bose and Women Scientist schemes support established researchers, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act of 2023 supports the research ecosystem.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Science & Technology Policy and Institutions in India
At a Glance
- School stage INSPIRE Awards, Atal Tinkering Labs
- College stage INSPIRE scholarship, IISERs
- Research stage Ramanujan, JC Bose fellowships
- Women WISE-KIRAN schemes
- Funding 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 Technology Vision. It shows how science and technology build the human capital that policy needs, from school to research careers. Previous topic: Technology Vision Document 2035. Next topic: Awards Related to Science in India.
Which Schemes Build Scientific Talent?
| Stage and scheme | Details |
|---|---|
| School: INSPIRE Awards MANAK | Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge, which asks students of classes 6 to 10 for ideas, with cash awards |
| School: Atal Tinkering Labs | Set up under the Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog since 2016 to give hands-on work in robotics, 3D printing and electronics |
| College: INSPIRE scholarship (SHE) | Scholarship for Higher Education for top students who take up basic sciences at the university level |
| KVPY | Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana, a fellowship scheme started in 1999 by DST for students of science, wound up after 2022 |
| IISERs | Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research at Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati and Berhampur, started from 2006 |
| INSPIRE Faculty | Offers research positions to young PhDs |
| Ramanujan Fellowship | For outstanding scientists of Indian origin working abroad to return to India |
What Other Initiatives Support Scientists and Society?
- J C Bose Fellowship: awarded by SERB to active, eminent scientists
- Women in science: Women Scientist Scheme and KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) help women restart careers, and WISE-KIRAN programme is the umbrella
- Vigyan Jyoti: a DST programme to encourage girls in science and engineering
- National Science Day: observed on 28 February to mark the announcement of the Raman Effect in 1928
- Science popularisation: Vigyan Prasar and National Council for Science and Technology Communication, NCSTC
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation: created by the ANRF Act of 2023 to fund research in universities and labs, with a plan of Rs 50,000 crore over five years
- National Education Policy 2020: promotes research in universities and multidisciplinary learning
- Skill India: skill training for technology jobs
What Else Should You Remember?
- Science teaching: quality of teachers and labs matters
- Brain drain: many scientists move abroad, though schemes try to bring them back
- Brain gain: return of talent
- PhD numbers: India produces tens of thousands of PhDs a year, but their quality varies
- Researchers per million: India has about 250 to 300 full time equivalent researchers per million people, which is low
- Gender gap: women are about a fifth of researchers
- Science fairs: INSPIRE Awards and Jawahar Lal Nehru National Science Exhibition
- Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan: a campaign to promote science and mathematics learning
- Science communication: language and media help in public understanding
- Traditional knowledge: integrating it with modern science is an aim
- Industry link: internships and apprenticeships
- Online learning: SWAYAM platform has courses for free
- Digital India: access to digital tools
- Scientific temper: Article 51A(h) makes it a duty
- Link: policy basis is in S&T Policy Resolutions of 1958, 1983, 2003 and 2013
- Link to boards: see Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
- Caution: some schemes are merged or renamed over time, so check current names
- Doctoral fellowships: Junior and Senior Research Fellowships through UGC and CSIR NET help research scholars
- Open science: free access to journals through One Nation One Subscription scheme from 2022
- Innovation clubs: school and college clubs under the Atal Innovation Mission
- Startup India: links young talent with enterprise
- Vigyan Pratibha: talent search programme in schools by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and DST
- Teacher training: workshops for school science teachers
- Foreign collaboration: joint labs and exchange visits for students and scholars
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Schemes: INSPIRE, KVPY, KIRAN
- Fellowships: Ramanujan, JC Bose
- Institutes: IISERs
- Current affairs link: ANRF and National Research Foundation grants
- Common errors: confusing INSPIRE with KVPY or giving the wrong Day
As an analytical point, India has many schemes, but numbers of researchers and spending are low. Better school science, stronger universities and good careers in research are needed to keep talent in the country.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Pipeline School to research
- Schemes INSPIRE, KIRAN
- Gap Few researchers
What Came Next?
The next topic covers awards related to science in India. Next topic: Awards Related to Science in India.
Key People and Terms
- INSPIRE Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research
- KVPY Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana
- IISER Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
- KIRAN Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing
- ANRF Anusandhan National Research Foundation
- ATL Atal Tinkering Lab
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- INSPIRE launched 2008; KVPY 1999.
- IISERs from 2006.
- National Science Day: 28 February.
- ANRF Act: 2023.
- Atal Tinkering Labs from 2016.
Do Not Confuse With
- INSPIRE and KVPY Current DST programme versus discontinued scheme
- Ramanujan and JC Bose Fellowships Return of scientists versus eminent scientists
- IIT and IISER Engineering versus science research education
Memory Hook
INSPIRE in oh-eight, KVPY in ninety-nine, IISERs from oh-six; Raman Day on twenty-eight February.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for schemes and the years. These points help.
- Pipeline Stages
- Gaps Numbers
- Reforms ANRF
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“How can science and technology contribute to human resource development in India? Evaluate government initiatives.”
How to Answer
- Link S&T and HRD.
- Schemes By stage.
- Gaps Numbers, gender.
- Way forward Research culture.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the INSPIRE scheme?
INSPIRE, or Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research, is a Department of Science and Technology programme started in 2008 to attract young people to science. It has awards for school students, scholarships for higher education and fellowships and faculty positions for researchers.
Why is National Science Day celebrated on 28 February?
National Science Day is celebrated on 28 February to mark the announcement of the Raman Effect by Sir C V Raman in 1928, for which he won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. It was first observed in 1987 and is used to popularise science among students and the public.
What are IISERs?
The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research are autonomous institutes set up from 2006 to combine education and research in basic sciences. They are at Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati and Berhampur, and they offer integrated five year degrees and doctoral programmes.
What is the Ramanujan Fellowship?
The Ramanujan Fellowship is a scheme of the Science and Engineering Research Board that offers research positions in India to talented scientists and engineers of Indian origin working abroad, to encourage them to return. It provides salary and research grants for five years.
What is the Anusandhan National Research Foundation?
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation was established under the ANRF Act, 2023 as an apex body to seed, grow and promote research and development, and to bring industry and academia together. The Prime Minister is its president, and it is meant to replace the Science and Engineering Research Board.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 National Science Day marks the Raman Effect.
On 28 February.
2 KVPY is a current scheme of the Government that is expanding.
It was discontinued after 2022.
3 IISERs were started from 2006.
For science education and research.
4 The Ramanujan Fellowship is meant for foreign scientists.
It is for scientists of Indian origin abroad.
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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