The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research’s (DSIR/CSIR) new scheme titled “Capacity Building and Human Resource Development” with an outlay of Rs 2,277.40 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the scheme will cover all national R&D institutions, laboratories, universities, and institutes of national importance, offering a platform for young researchers to build careers in science, technology, engineering, medical and mathematical sciences.
The programme is designed to increase the number of researchers per million population, strengthen India’s scientific workforce, and support the country’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goals. With India climbing to 39th rank in the 2024 Global Innovation Index and emerging among the top three nations in scientific paper publications, the government expects the scheme to further accelerate R&D achievements.
The umbrella scheme includes doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, extramural research support, the Emeritus Scientist Scheme, the Bhatnagar Fellowship Programme, awards for excellence, and grants for travel and symposia. Officials said the approval marks a milestone in CSIR’s 84-year journey, underlining the government’s commitment to creating a strong innovation-driven ecosystem and preparing Indian science for global leadership.