The scheme will strengthen India’s research and innovation ecosystem by supporting young researchers, scientists, and institutions across the country.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has 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 Fifteenth Finance Commission cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The scheme will be implemented by the CSIR and will cover national R&D institutions, laboratories, Institutes of National Importance, Institutes of Eminence, and universities across India. It provides opportunities for young researchers who aspire to build careers in universities, industries, laboratories, and academic institutions. The initiative will be guided by eminent scientists and professors and will focus on Science, Technology & Engineering, Medical, and Mathematical Sciences (STEMM).
The scheme will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by increasing the number of researchers per million population. It has already proved significant in strengthening India’s talent pool in science and technology.
Over the past decade, India has made notable progress in R&D, supported by government initiatives. The country improved its ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) to 39th in 2024, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). India is now among the top three globally in terms of scientific paper publications, as per data from the National Science Foundation, USA. Thousands of research scholars and scientists supported by DSIR schemes have contributed to these achievements.
This approval also marks an important milestone as CSIR completes 84 years of service to Indian scientific and industrial research. The umbrella scheme on Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (CBHRD) includes four sub-schemes:
- Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Extramural Research, Emeritus Scientist, and Bhatnagar Fellowship Programme
- Promotion and Recognition of Excellence through Awards
- Knowledge Sharing through Travel and Symposia Grants
The initiative highlights the Government’s commitment to building a strong R&D-driven innovation ecosystem and preparing Indian science for global leadership in the 21st century.
Source: PMO
