Question : Research Facilities of International Standard

(a) whether the Government has prepared any special action plan to provide the research facilities of international standard in the universities of the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the international ranking of Indian universities and other research institutes in the research sector, State-wise;
(c) the grants/funds allocated and released to the universities for scientific research in the country during the last one year, State-wise;
(d) whether several Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have formulated guidelines to incentivise faculties to conduct quality research in their institutes and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the guidelines for promoting research and incentivising faculties of Central universities?

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

(a) to (c): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it has been providing grants to the universities for development of research & innovation under general development schemes. In addition, UGC provides specific grants for promotion of research through the following schemes, namely:
(i) Special Assistance Programmes (SAP); which is at 3 different levels namely
- Departmental Research Support (DRS),
- Departmental Special Assistance (DSA) &
- Centre of Advance of Study (CAS).
(ii) UGC Universities with Potential for Excellence (UPE) for focussed research
(iii) UGC Major/Minor Research Project (MRP) Fellowships
(iv) Inter University Centre (IUC),
(v) Basic Scientific Research (BSR)
This Ministry does not maintain international rankings of Indian Universities and other research institutes, in the research sector, State wise. International rankings of Higher Educational Institutions are undertaken by private organizations such as Times Higher Education(THE), Quacquarelli Symonds(QS) etc.
(d): The following types of schemes are being implemented in Indian Institutes of Technology(IITs) for incentivizing faculty to conduct quality research, namely: Institute Research Project (for individual faculty); Sprouting/ Research Initiation Grant; Seed Money; Faculty Research Support Grant; etc.
(e): The UGC provides general development grants to Central Universities for not only improving and consolidating the existing infrastructure in the University but also to develop excellence in certain identified areas. In addition, the Central Universities are eligible for applying under UPE, SAP, BSR schemes for promotion of research.
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