The Department of Science and Technology (DST) under Ministry of Science and Technology is implementing Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) to ensure equal participation of OBCs, SCs and STs in scientific research, technology development and innovation ecosystem.

The Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division of DST is implementing several schemes and programs towards socio-economic development of disadvantaged sections of the society through appropriate interventions of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), leading to improved quality of life and enhanced livelihood opportunities. Following programs of SEED Division are aimed to ensure direct or indirect participation of SC, ST and OBCs.

1. Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Local Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL) programme aims to strengthen the livelihood efficiency of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society through technology delivery & social enterprise creation. Focus of the programme is not only limited to the deployment of field-tested models and location-specific technologies to meet the needs of local people, it also encourages improving their S&T knowledge, skill enhancement, capacity building and socio-economic conditions.
2. Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs aims towards holistic development of SC and ST communities across the country through systemic interventions. These Hubs are established in collaborative, networked and partnership framework to resolve the last mile challenges in introduction, delivery, management, use and extension of technology applications for development of target SC/ST population. The Hubs also harness and leverage frontier technologies available with other knowledge organizations for deployment. So far, 53 STI Hubs have been established in States/UTs of Andaman & Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

In addition to programs of SEED Division, INSPIRE-MANAK programme of DST is promoting culture of innovation and creative thinking among students studying in class 6 to 10 through their ideas to address societal challenge using S&T. During last three years, 36,388 students belonging to SC/ST, studying in class 6 to 10 were supported with an award of Rs. 10,000/- each.

Project based research funding support is being provided by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to researchers belonging to the SC/ST communities to undertake R&D in frontier areas of science and engineering to further their capacity and advance in mainstream research programs. During last three years, more than 503 researchers belonging to SC/ST community have been supported.

Apart from implementing specific schemes and programmes for SC, ST communities, DST had also issued Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) Guidelines in May 2022, to facilitate integration of science and society and build synergy among diversified stakeholders thus ensuring transfer of scientific knowledge for the benefit of different sections of society including OBCs, SCs and STs. It further aims to create an effective ecosystem for optimum use of existing assets to empower less endowed, marginalized and exploited sections of society by enhancing their capability, capacity and latent potential.

The total allocation and expenditure earmarked for SC, ST beneficiaries under various schemes of the DST during the last three years, Year-wise is as follows:

Tribal Sub- Plan Scheme/ Programme (TSP) In Cr.
	FY 2022-23	FY 2023-24	FY 2024-25
Funds allocated	82.80	57.62	98.70
Expenditure	71.18	38.50	69.72
Scheduled caste Sub- Plan Scheme/ Programme (SCSP) In Cr
Funds allocated	159.75	111.22	198.45
Expenditure	133.32	69.18	154.79

In addition, and beyond this an estimated expenditure of Rs.653.051 Cr has been made on payment of fellowship to research fellows belonging to OBCs (NCL), SCs and STs under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR’s) scheme “Capacity Building and Human Resource Development: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship”.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, follows the guidelines issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for effective implementation of reservation policies for recruitment of OBCs, SCs and STs.

The Union Government has taken various steps to facilitate adoption of science and technology schemes by eligible OBC, SC and ST beneficiaries. Some of the highlights are:

1. The Department has established SC/ST Cells within State Science and Technology Councils to achieve development for SC/ST communities through collaborative efforts involving government, industry, academia, and society. These cells are adopting a bottom up approach to collect information on livelihood systems, encompassing human, natural, social, physical and financial capitals, as well as local and indigenous knowledge to aid in formulation of specific strategies, plans, and programs for the development of SC/ST beneficiaries. So far, 11 SC-ST Cells have been established in States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
2. More than 70,000 candidates belonging to SC/ST category were given trainings on advanced technologies under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM- ICPS) during last three years.
3. A special Call has been given under Scheme for Young Scientists and Technologists (SYST) in 2025 for Unemployed Young Scientists (from SC/ ST category) to provide them the opportunities to undertake application oriented socially relevant research projects.

 

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2152960)