Parliament Question: PM Research Chair Scheme in Andhra Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2342 ANSWERED ON-03/08/2026 PM Research Chair Scheme in Andhra Pradesh 2342. Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the number of applications received and researchers selected under the PM Research Chair Scheme since its inception, year-wise, State-wise and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh; (b) whether any researchers from Andhra Pradesh have applied or been selected under the said Scheme and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any institutions in Andhra Pradesh have been selected as host institutions under the said Scheme and if so, the details regarding the list of such institutions; (d) the steps being taken by the Government to encourage more Indian-origin researchers, particularly from the Telugu States, to return and contribute to India's research and innovation; and (e) the details of funds allocated and utilized for awareness creation of the scheme, State-wise, especially for Andhra Pradesh? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (e): The Government of India has framed and approved the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to transform the education landscape into a multidisciplinary, inclusive, and learner-centric ecosystem. The Policy aims to enhance equity, quality and access to education for all, while promoting research and innovation as key components of higher education. In pursuance with the vision of NEP 2020, the Ministry of Education has launched the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme to attract and engage distinguished Indian-origin researchers, scientists and professionals with international research experience, to strengthen India's higher education and research ecosystem through research, mentorship and institutional capacity-building across national priority thematic areas. The Scheme provides for fellowships under three categories, namely Research Chair, Senior Fellow and Young Research Fellow. Applications have been invited from eligible candidates for fellowships. Applications have also been invited from eligible institutions to participate in the PMRC Scheme as host institutions. These institutions are spread across various States/ UTs of India to engage top Indian origin researchers for their research projects aligned with identified thematic areas.To ensure wider outreach of the Scheme, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Indian Embassies/ High Commissions has taken steps for awareness of the Scheme among eligible candidates. Details of scheme, eligibility criteria for fellows and host institutions are available at https://pmrc.education.gov.in/ . Further, Ministry of Science and Technology has formulated several schemes to encourage Indian-origin researchers to return and contribute to India’s research and innovation which includes INSPIRE and VAIBHAV. The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Faculty Scheme provides attractive avenues and opportunities to Indian researchers, who are residing in foreign, to work in Indian Institutes/Universities in their respective domain, whereas VAIBHAV (Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik) is a Fellowship Programme exclusively for Indian Diaspora (Non-Resident Indian/ Overseas Citizen of India), these fellows have been hosted by various Indian Institutions including IIT Hyderabad. Further, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under Department of Science and Technology has also formulated the RAMANUJAN fellowship scheme to engage brilliant Indian/Indian-Origin scientists and researchers working abroad to pursue research in Indian universities, academic institutions, National laboratories and across all disciplines of science and engineering. The support to fellows includes a consolidated fellowship of ₹1.35 lakh per month, along with a research grant of ₹7 lakh per annum for a period of five years. *****