IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme

9th November, 2021 Society

 

Context:

  • 17 scientists from across India were awarded Swarnajayanti Fellowships.

About the Swarnajayanti Fellowship Scheme:

  • of India had instituted a scheme "The Swarnajayanti Fellowships" to commemorate India's fiftieth year of Independence.
  • Under this scheme a selected number of young scientists, with proven track record, are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. 
  • The fellowships are scientist specific and not institution specific, very selective and have close academic monitoring.
  • It is a research fellowship in India awarded annually by the Department of Science and Technology (GOI) for notable and outstanding research by young scientists, applied or fundamental, in biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physics.
  • It was instituted in 1997.
  • The selected scientists are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology.
  • The fellows’ projects may also be funded by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB).
  • The duration of the fellowship will not exceed five years.

About Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB):

  • It is a statutory body and is established through an Act of Parliament: SERB Act 2008, Government of India.
  • The Organization aims to uplift science and engineering in India, in a manner that it can contribute majorly in the economic growth of the country.
  • It is the premier research funding agency in India.
  • Its functions include:
  • Investigating and identifying the major areas of development and research
  • Maintaining a disciplinary link between academic institutions, research labs, and industries promoting Science and Technology
  • Monitoring the development and implementation of various research projects