Question : Major Research Project

(a) whether Major Research Project (MRP) implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) is promoting quality research among faculties of the universities in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the funds allocated under MRP of the UGC have been disbursed to the recipients of the projects in the year 2014 and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether UGC will start to disburse the MRP funds to its recipients and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of various mechanisms through which UGC monitors the quality of the research sponsored by it?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has implemented the scheme of ‘Financial Assistance to Major Research Projects(MRPs)’ by supporting research programmes of University and College Teachers, in various disciplines, for promoting excellence in research. The number of Major Research Projects approved by the UGC during the last five years are as under:
<pre>
Year Number of Major Research Projects approved
2010-11 1821
2011-12 512
2012-13 2301
2013-14 1636
2014-15 994
</pre>
(b) & (c): The UGC has informed that out of 994 projects in 2014, it has released funds for 59 projects. Funds are being released for remaining projects.
(d): The UGC has informed that it has taken the following measures for monitoring the quality of the research projects awarded by it:
i. Assessment of the proposal by the concerned Institution before submitting the proposal to the UGC
ii. Interface meeting between Subject Experts & Principal Investigator (PI)
iii. Mid Term Progress Review Meeting between Subject Experts & PI
iv. Final assessment/evaluation of the project by two expert members not belonging to their Institution.
******