Shortage of Qualified Scientists

Shortage of Qualified Scientists

There is no shortage of qualified scientists for research and development in various research institutes/laboratories in the country.

The Minister of State for Planning, Science &Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Ashwani Kumar said in Rajya Sabha today that the number of scientists migrating from Science and Technology (S&T) Departments to private sector is insignificant. However, Government have taken several measures to retain scientists in the research institutions and national laboratories. These measures include successive increase in plan allocations for scientific departments, setting up of new institutions for science education and research, creation of centres of excellence and facilities in emerging and front line areas in academic and national institutes, sharing of proceeds from contractual Research and Development (R&D), consultancy and premia and royalty received from the transfer of technology with scientists, mobility of scientists between national laboratories, academia and industry, setting up of knowledge enterprises while being in service, establishment of incubation centres to nurture start-up companies and enable research commercialisation, induction of new and attractive fellowships such as Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), enhancement in the fellowship emoluments, financial incentives to outstanding scientists, better pay scales to scientists as per the 6th Pay Commission, creation of additional posts in Scientist ‘H` grade, programmes to attract scientists of Indian origin from abroad in scientific research in the country etc.

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