Question : SATYAM

(a) the funds allocated under SATYAM (Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation) during the last three years and the current year;

(b) the progress and achievement made since the inception of the programme;

(c) whether the Government has invited research proposals from scientists, academicians and investigators under SATYAM for the year 2017-18;

(d) if so, the number of such proposals received along with the basic theme for SATYAM;

(e) whether the Government has identified research institutes and universities for the said programme and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the details of other steps taken by the Government to promote scientific research in yoga and meditation?

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) Madam, the funds for SATYAM (Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation) are allocated from the Research & Development (R&D) Support budget head of Department of Science and Technology (DST) and as such there is no separate budget allocation for SATYAM programme.

(b) The SATYAM Programme was started in the year 2015 and since then three Calls for Proposals have been made (once in a year) to invite research proposals under SATYAM. Since its inception, DST has received 1050 proposals under SATYAM and about 60 projects have been recommended for budgetary support. These projects are at various stages of development as the duration of such projects is usually three years.

(c) & (d): DST had invited proposals under SATYAM for the year 2017-18 during month of October 2017 and received 213 research proposals. The basic themes of SATYAM include investigations on the effect of Yoga and Meditation on physical and mental health and well being and investigations on the effect of Yoga and Meditation on the body, brain and mind in terms of basic processes and mechanisms.

(e) Department of Science and Technology invites proposals under SATYAM on open Call for Proposals basis and researchers/academicians from across the country can submit their project proposals.

(f) Three scientific Conferences on Yoga and Meditation under SATYAM have also been supported during 2017-18 in order to promote scientific research in this domain.

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