What’s in the news?

• The Union Cabinet has approved continuation of the three umbrella schemes, merged into a unified central sector scheme namely ‘Vigyan Dhara’ of Department of Science and Technology (DST). 
• The scheme has three broad components: 
  • Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, 
  • Research and Development and 
  • Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment. 
• The merger of the schemes into a single scheme would enhance efficiency in fund utilization and establish synchronization among the sub-schemes/programs. 
• The primary objective of the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme is to promote S&T capacity building as well as research, innovation and technology development towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem in the country. 
• Implementation of the scheme will strengthen the S&T infrastructure of the country by fostering well-equipped R&D labs in the Academic Institutions. 
• The scheme endeavours to promote research in areas such as basic research with access to the international mega facilities, translational research in sustainable energy, water, etc. and collaborative research through international bilateral and multilateral cooperation. 
• It will also contribute to building a critical human resource pool to strengthen the science and technology landscape and expand the R&D base of the country towards improving the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count. 
• All the programs proposed under the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme would be aligned with the 5-year goals of DST towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. 
• The research and development component of the scheme will be aligned in line with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). 

Background:

• The Department of Science & Technology (DST) acts as the nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in the country. 
• Three central sector umbrella schemes were being implemented by DST towards promoting Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the country viz. (i) Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, (ii) Research and Development and (iii) Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment. 
• These three schemes have been merged into the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2048572