Overview

• Approval covers the Fifteenth Finance Commission period from 2021–22 to 2025–26 with a total outlay of Rs 2,277.397 crore.
• The scheme will be implemented by DSIR/CSIR and extend to R&D institutions, national laboratories, Institutes of National Importance and Eminence, and universities across India.
• Under the CSIR umbrella, four components include doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships; extramural research, emeritus scientist, and Bhatnagar fellowships; recognition awards; and travel and symposia grants.
• The program aims to increase researchers per million population and advance Sustainable Development Goals for the science and technology sector, according to the official release.
• Government statements say the initiative will support thousands of scholars and may help improve India’s Global Innovation Index ranking, which stood at 39th in 2024.