The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and allied scientific ministries have implemented a wide range of programmes to identify, nurture, and retain young scientific talent, with the objective of strengthening India’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem and expanding participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
This information was provided by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on January 29, 2026.
DST Initiatives for Early-Career Scientists
Scheme for Young Scientists and Technologists (SYST)
The SYST programme encourages young scientists and technologists to develop science and technology driven solutions to identified socio-economic challenges.
- Young scientists supported (2021-2025): 120
WISE: Fellowship for Ph.D.
The WISE Fellowship for Ph.D. supports women scientists and technologists aged 27-45 years to pursue doctoral research in basic and applied sciences as bench-level researchers through independent project grants.
- Beneficiaries in last five years: 241
Vigyan Jyoti Programme
The Vigyan Jyoti (VJ) Programme aims to bridge the gender gap in STEM by supporting girls from school through college. The programme collaborates with leading Knowledge Partners, including IITs, NITs, IISERs, CSIR laboratories, AIIMS, and other premier institutions.
Through mentoring, exposure visits, and expert interactions, the programme builds awareness of scientific careers and emerging research areas.
- Students supported (last five years): 1,12,682
CSRI Post-Doctoral Fellowship (CSRI-PDF)
Under the Cognitive Science Research Initiative, the CSRI-PDF provides postdoctoral research opportunities to young scientists below 40 years of age in frontier areas of cognitive science.
- Young scientists supported (last five years): 20
INSPIRE Scheme: Attracting Talent to Research Careers
The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme seeks to attract meritorious youth to pursue higher education and research careers in basic and applied sciences, including engineering, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences.
Key INSPIRE Components
Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
- 12,000 scholarships annually
- ₹0.80 lakh per year for five years
- Target group: Students aged 17-22 years
- Beneficiaries (last five years): 53,097
INSPIRE Fellowship (Ph.D.)
- Supports top-ranking graduates and meritorious postgraduates pursuing doctoral research
- Young scientists supported: 3,101
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship
- Supports postdoctoral researchers aged 27-32 years for a five-year tenure
- Young scientists supported: 482
ANRF (Earlier SERB): Early-Career and Postdoctoral Support
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) implements multiple grant and fellowship schemes to strengthen early-career research:
- Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG): 712
- Start-up Research Grant (SRG): 1,887
- National Postdoctoral Fellowship (NPDF): 1,561
- Ramanujan Fellowship: 168
ANRF also provides International Travel Support (ITS) to facilitate global research exposure.
CSIR: Capacity Building and Global Exposure
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) supports young researchers through its Capacity Building and Human Resource Development Programme.
- Doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships awarded (last five years): 9,880
Under the Raman Research Fellowship (RRF) programme:
- 65 young CSIR scientists received overseas research exposure
- Fellowships covered 22 countries
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Support
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has supported over 500 young scientists in the last five years through programmes such as:
- Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship
- Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe)
- M.K. Bhan: Young Researchers Fellowship Programme
ICAR Programmes for Young Agricultural Scientists
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has sanctioned:
- 21 National Fellow Programme projects
- 50 Young Scientist Projects
These projects commenced on January 1, 2026, will run until December 31, 2028, and have a total approved outlay of ₹22.44 crore over the last five years.
Inclusive Reach: Focus on Bihar and Aspirational Districts
All programmes are implemented on a competitive, nationwide basis, including in Bihar, with participation from rural and aspirational districts.
Support Extended in Bihar (Last Five Years)
- INSPIRE SHE scholarships: 1,033 students
- INSPIRE Fellowships: 48
- INSPIRE Faculty Fellowships: 8
- Vigyan Jyoti beneficiaries: 4,084 girls
- ANRF support in Bihar:
- SRG: 32
- PMECRG: 8
- NPDF: 4
In Nawada district, two Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) hubs were established in Sirdala and Meskaur blocks by ICAR-RCER, Patna, under a DST-funded project. Rural youth were trained in digital and ICT tools to deliver location-specific agricultural advisories to around 40 farmers.
Conclusion
Through a comprehensive network of scholarships, fellowships, research grants, and targeted pilots, the Government continues to identify young scientific talent, promote gender and regional inclusion, and strengthen India’s R&D ecosystem. The sustained focus on early-career researchers, women scientists, and aspirational regions reflects a long-term strategy to build a resilient, innovation-driven knowledge economy. (Source: PIB PR ID 2220196)