Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday announced an over 50 per cent hike in the fellowship amount received by various categories of young research scientists.
"The long pending demand of researchers has been addressed as the government had decided to revise their fellowships," said Jitndra Singh.
The step has been taken in a bid to contribute more for research and development.
There were various practical considerations in deciding on the revision of fellowships, which have been taken into account in the all possible scenarios, while attractive fellowships would attract promising candidates to take up research as a career.
"There is also a need to create an ambience required for pursuing research, which is a pre-requisite," Singh added.
"With immediate effect, we would have a hike ranging from, ranging up to 20,000, varying from 10,000 to 20,000 in various categories of research scholars and research associates. For example, research associate category 3 would have, now, a hike of as much as 22,000 from 24,000 it will be hiked to 46,000 per month; Research Associate 2 from 23,000 to 42,000; Research Associate 1 from 22,000 to 38,000; senior research fellows from 18,000 to 30,000 and junior research fellows from 16,000 to 25,000," he announced.
Singh also said that scientific researchers are the real nation builders, who work day and night away from the limelight of media or public and remain unaffected by upheavals in their surroundings.
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However, this hike would not disturb various kinds of perks and privileges, which are enjoyed by them already.
"They would also be entitled to travel by railway, air-condition, three-tier or two-tier depending upon their status or the category of the research scholar fellowship or associate they belong to," said Singh.
Besides, they would also be entitled to a house rent allowance, medical benefits with casual as well as required maternity leaves.
Apart from this, the minister has also suggested to work out and develop a mechanism of institutionalising the practice of periodic review of this amount, which may be annual or bi-annual, as per the requirement.