Question : Social Science Research

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to promote social science research in higher educational institutions particularly in Central Universities in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with various Government institutions involved in the promotion of social sciences research and various Government institutions involved in promoting research in natural science and technology; and

(c) the budgetary allocations by University Grants Commission (UGC) to promote research in social sciences along with the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced two scholarship schemes namely (i) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Science and (ii) Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research, specially for promoting research in social sciences since 2014-15. Besides these schemes, UGC has introduced Special Assistance Program (SAP) for providing financial assistance to universities for research in different disciplines including social sciences. For awarding Major Research Projects (MRP) for research work, UGC is also providing grant to the University/College Teachers (including Central Universities).

UGC has been implementing following schemes where fellowships are awarded in four streams viz. 1) Humanities 2) Social Science 3) Science and 4) Engineering & Technology for pursuing M.Phil./ Ph.D. research and higher research in Universities /Institutions /Colleges in India:

1. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC candidates (Inception year 2005). [Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India]
2. National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST Students since 2015 [Formerly RGNF – ST] (Inception year 2005) [Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India]
3. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities (Inception year 2012) [Entrusted by Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment]
4. National Fellowship for Students of Other Backward Classes (OBC) (Inception year 2014) (Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India]
5. Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students (Inception year 2009) [Entrusted & Funded by Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India]
6. Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates (Inception year 2006) [Out of UGC’s Budget]


(c): Scheme-wise budgetary allocation during financial year 2015-16 is as under:
<pre>
Grant released during financial year 2015-16
(Rs. In crore)
S.No. Name of the Schemes
1 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences 0.74
2 Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences 13.57
3. Special Assistance Program (SAP) 15.10
4. Major Research Projects (MRP) 29.00
5. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC candidate 178.10
6 National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST Students since 2015[Formerly RGNF – ST]
52.13
7 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities Payment made by M/SJ&E
8 National Fellowship for Students of Other Backward Classes (OBC ) 15.12
9 Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students 74.26
10 Post Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates 22.60
</pre>
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