Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Science and Technology addresses Lok Sabha Question No. 2792 regarding the participation of OBCs, SCs, and STs in scientific research. The response outlines policies, allocations, monitoring mechanisms, and steps taken to address challenges faced by these groups. Key initiatives include the implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), along with specific programs and guidelines.
Key Points / Main Content:
Policies and Programs for Equal Participation:
* The Department of Science and Technology (DST) implements the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) to ensure equal participation of OBCs, SCs, and STs.
* The Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division implements schemes for socio-economic development of disadvantaged sections.
* SUNIL program aims to strengthen livelihoods of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) through technology and skill enhancement.
* STI Hubs promote holistic development of SC and ST communities through technology interventions. 53 hubs have been established across various states/UTs.
* INSPIRE-MANAK program promotes innovation among students in classes 6-10; 36,388 SC/ST students were supported with awards.
* Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) provides project-based research funding to SC/ST researchers. Over 503 researchers have been supported.
* Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) Guidelines (May 2022) aim to integrate science and society, benefiting OBCs, SCs, and STs.
Financial Allocations and Expenditures:
* The document lists the funds allocated and spent under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) and Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) for fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.
* Expenditure of Rs.653.051 Cr has been made on payment of fellowship to research fellows belonging to OBCs NCL, SCs and STs under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research CSIRs scheme Capacity Building and Human Resource Development: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Monitoring and Implementation:
* The Ministry follows guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for reservation policies in recruitment.
Steps to Facilitate Adoption of Schemes:
* SC/ST Cells have been established within State Science and Technology Councils to promote development through collaborative efforts. 11 cells have been established across various states/UTs.
* Over 70,000 SC/ST candidates received training in advanced technologies under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
* A special call was given under the Scheme for Young Scientists and Technologists (SYST) in 2025 for unemployed SC/ST scientists.
Impact Analysis:
OBC, SC, and ST Communities:
Impact: Increased opportunities for participation in scientific research, technology development, and innovation through targeted programs and financial support. Improved livelihoods and socio-economic development.
Action Required: Engage with relevant programs and initiatives, utilize available resources, and participate in training opportunities.
Researchers and Scientists:
Impact: Access to research funding and support through ANRF, specifically for SC/ST researchers.
Action Required: Apply for funding opportunities and participate in research programs.
State Science and Technology Councils:
Impact: Establishment and operation of SC/ST Cells to promote development within these communities.
Action Required: Implement strategies, plans, and programs for the development of SC/ST beneficiaries.
Students:
Impact: Opportunities for innovation and creative thinking through the INSPIRE-MANAK program, with financial support for eligible students.
Action Required: Participate in the INSPIRE-MANAK program and develop innovative ideas to address societal challenges.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Science and Technology: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for science and technology policy and administration.
OBCs, SCs and STs: Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are designated groups in India that benefit from reservation policies.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): A department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, responsible for implementing science and technology policies and programs.
Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP): A plan implemented by the DST to ensure equal participation of Scheduled Castes in scientific research, technology development and innovation ecosystem.
Tribal Sub Plan (TSP): A plan implemented by the DST to ensure equal participation of Scheduled Tribes in scientific research, technology development and innovation ecosystem.
Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division: A division of DST that implements schemes and programs for socio-economic development of disadvantaged sections of society through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): An organization that provides project-based research funding support to researchers belonging to the SC/ST communities.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): An organization that provides fellowship to research fellows belonging to OBCs, SCs, and STs under the scheme Capacity Building and Human Resource Development: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2792
ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025
PARTICIPATION OF RESERVED CATEGORIES IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
†2792. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to
state:
(a) the specific policies formulated and implemented by the
Government to ensure equal participation of OBCs, SCs and STs in
scientific research, technology development and innovation ecosystem;
(b) the total allocation and expenditure earmarked for OBC, SC, ST
beneficiaries under various schemes of the Government during the last
three years, year-wise;
(c) the mechanism in place to monitor effective implementation of
reservation policies for OBC, SC, ST categories for admission to science
and technology institutions and recruitment to scientific and technical
posts under the Ministry of Science and Technology; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to address the alleged
shortcomings and challenges faced by eligible OBC, SC and ST
beneficiaries in adopting their science and technology schemes?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पथ्ृ िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय के राज्य मंत्री (स्ितंत्र प्रभार)
(डॉ. जितेंद्र स हं )
(a) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) under Ministry of
Science and Technology is implementing Scheduled Caste Sub Plan
(SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) to ensure equal participation of OBCs,
SCs and STs in scientific research, technology development and
innovation ecosystem.
Page 1 of 4The Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division
of DST is implementing several schemes and programs towards socio-
economic development of disadvantaged sections of the society through
appropriate interventions of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI),
leading to improved quality of life and enhanced livelihood opportunities.
Following programs of SEED Division are aimed to ensure direct or
indirect participation of SC, ST, OBCs.
i. Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Local Innovations for
Livelihood (SUNIL) programme aims to strengthen the livelihood
efficiency of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society
through technology delivery & social enterprise creation. Focus of
the programme is not only limited to the deployment of field-tested
models and location-specific technologies to meet the needs of
local people, it also encourages improving their S&T knowledge,
skill enhancement, capacity building and socio-economic
conditions.
ii. Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs aims towards
holistic development of SC and ST communities across the country
through systemic interventions. These Hubs are established in
collaborative, networked and partnership framework to resolve the
last mile challenges in introduction, delivery, management, use and
extension of technology applications for development of target
SC/ST population. The Hubs also harness and leverage frontier
technologies available with other knowledge organizations for
deployment. So far, 53 STI Hubs have been established in
States/UTs of Andaman & Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa,
Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha,
Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana,
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
In addition to programs of SEED Division, INSPIRE-MANAK programme of
DST is promoting culture of innovation and creative thinking among
students studying in class 6 to 10 through their ideas to address societal
challenge using S&T. During last three years, 36,388 students belonging
to SC/ST, studying in class 6 to 10 were supported with an award of Rs.
10,000/- each.
Page 2 of 4Project based research funding support is being provided by Anusandhan
National Research Foundation (ANRF) to researchers belonging to the
SC/ST communities to undertake R&D in frontier areas of science and
engineering to further their capacity and advance in mainstream
research programs. During last three years, more than 503 researchers
belonging to SC/ST community have been supported.
Apart from implementing specific schemes and programmes for SC, ST
communities, DST had also issued Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR)
Guidelines in May 2022, to facilitate integration of science and society
and build synergy among diversified stakeholders thus ensuring transfer
of scientific knowledge for the benefit of different sections of society
including OBCs, SCs and STs. It further aims to create an effective
ecosystem for optimum use of existing assets to empower less endowed,
marginalized and exploited sections of society by enhancing their
capability, capacity and latent potential.
(b) The total allocation and expenditure earmarked for SC, ST
beneficiaries under various schemes of the DST during the last three
years, Year-wise is as follows:
Tribal Sub- Plan Scheme/ Programme (TSP) In Cr.
FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25
Funds allocated 82.80 57.62 98.70
Expenditure 71.18 38.50 69.72
Scheduled caste Sub- Plan Scheme/ Programme (SCSP) In Cr
Funds allocated 159.75 111.22 198.45
Expenditure 133.32 69.18 154.79
In addition, and beyond this an estimated expenditure of Rs.653.051 Cr
has been made on payment of fellowship to research fellows belonging
to OBCs (NCL), SCs and STs under the Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR’s) scheme “Capacity Building and Human Resource
Development: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship”.
Page 3 of 4(c) The Ministry of Science and Technology, follows the guidelines
issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for effective
implementation of reservation policies for recruitment of OBCs, SCs and
STs.
(d) The Union Government has taken various steps to facilitate
adoption of science and technology schemes by eligible OBC, SC and ST
beneficiaries. Some of the highlights are:
i. The Department has established SC/ST Cells within State Science
and Technology Councils to achieve development for SC/ST
communities through collaborative efforts involving government,
industry, academia, and society. These cells are adopting a bottom
up approach to collect information on livelihood systems,
encompassing human, natural, social, physical and financial
capitals, as well as local and indigenous knowledge to aid in
formulation of specific strategies, plans, and programs for the
development of SC/ST beneficiaries. So far, 11 SC-ST Cells have
been established in States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka,
Kerala, Mizoram, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura,
Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
ii. More than 70,000 candidates belonging to SC/ST category were
given trainings on advanced technologies under National Mission
on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM- ICPS) during last
three years.
iii. A special Call has been given under Scheme for Young Scientists
and Technologists (SYST) in 2025 for Unemployed Young Scientists
(from SC/ ST category) to provide them the opportunities to
undertake application oriented socially relevant research projects.
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