- The new Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy unveiled in 2013 by then PM includes a thrust for innovations in science and technology sector.
- Science, Research and Innovation System for High Technology led path for India, (SRISHTI) is the main policy goal.
- To translate the vision of STI policy into action agenda, the Department has already established a dedicated Policy Research Cell.
- Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has intensified its activities for human capacity building through science and engineering research.
- SERB has launched several new initiatives during the year:
- Empowerment and Equity opportunities for Excellence in Science for enhancing participation of scientists from the weaker sections of the society;
- SERB Women Excellence Award to enroll women into S&T activities;
- SERB Distinguished Fellowship Scheme.
- Overall 681 scientists were supported under the Extra-mural Research (EMR) funding scheme for individual investigators through the Programme Advisory Committee mechanism.
- In addition, 1063 young scientists were supported under the Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientists.
- 40 scientists received Ramanujan Fellowship & 22 received IC Bose Fellowship.
- SERB is implementing Prime Minister’s Doctoral Fellowship Scheme with a view to develop human capacity for industrially relevant research and development.
- Women Scientists Scheme (WOS—A) provide the opportunity to women scientists come back in main stream of science by pursuing research in science.
- Attraction of talent for Science and Research is being pursued through Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme since 2009.
- A company named Yuvan Long Life was registered in collaboration with Pune based Ensign Biosciences for commercialisation of grassroot technologies.
- Implementation of National Data Sharing and Access Policy enunciated in February 2012 has now been initiated through National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- National Geographical Information System (NGIS) offering services and imageries on cyber space has been prioritized.
- North East Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR), the centre would strive to connect technology assets emanating from various scientific departments and their institutions to the developmental processes of state government of the North East Region.
- Technology Development Board (TDB) has signed agreement to assist companies for commercialization of technologies in various sectors of company viz., health, biotech, chemical, engineering, agriculture, energy and waste utilization and ICT.
- National Mission of Nano Science and Technology — an umbrella programme — was launched in 2007 to promote R&D in this emerging area of research in a comprehensive fashion.
- During the year 2013-14, India secured third position in the world in terms of scientific publications in nano science and technology.
- National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and National Mission for Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change (NMSKCC) launched under National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) are under implementation by the Department.
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