The Government has not setup any committee to create a framework for evaluation of research and rankings by promoting healthy competition among institutions, departments and individual researchers. However, based on the study report of the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi on Publication output in Scopus International Database, the Department of Science and Technology has taken a proactive measure to initiate value added Research and Development incentive grant by launching “Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence” (PURSE) Program. 44 performing Universities whose h-index ranging from 56 to 26 were identified through the said studies on publications for 10 years periods i.e. 1996-2006 and 1998-2008.
These universities were supported ranging from Rs 30.0 Crores to Rs 6.0 Crores depending upon h-index for 3 years period. The study was again commissioned to NISTADS and evaluation was carried out through SCOPUS Database for a period 2000-2010 in total publications of set of 14 universities which were identified during the study period 1996-2006. It was established that these Universities have substantially enhanced the performance in terms of publications. A total investment of Rs. 890 crore was committed under the PURSE scheme so far. This Scheme has promoted healthy competition among universities. DST commissioned a study to Thomson Reutors for measuring research performance of India in various discipline areas of research in comparison to other countries and made the entire report available in public domain. This transparent mode of measurement and reporting has led to competition among the R & D Institutions in the country. Institution of Schemes/Fellowships like Swarnajayanti Fellowship for outstanding young scientists, J.C Bose Fellowships to recognize and support active, performing Indian scientists, Ramalingaswamy Fellowship etc. are some of the measures taken by the Government to support the country’s most talented researchers.
Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri S. Jaipal Reddy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.
Source: Press Information Bureau
