Notices

Recommendations of the Task Force for Basic Scientific Research in Universities:

1. There are a large number of sanctioned faculty positions in Universities that have been lying vacant for prolonged period. These positions should be expeditiously filled in by inducting talented faculty with a view to strengthening the research base.
   
   

2. 1000 positions of Research Scientists at various levels equivalent to that of Lecturer, Reader and Professor need to be created. These positions may be filled in through a rigorous selection procedure in a phased manner over a period of five years. Performance of these scientists be reviewed after every five years by a duly constituted expert committee. In order to ensure enabling environment on a continuous basis for these prospective scientists, an MoU should be signed between the state Universities and the implementing agency.
   
   

3. There is a need to create 10 networking centres in Basic Sciences (two centres each in Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Material Sciences and Mathematical Sciences) in leading Departments of Universities in different parts of the country to promote collaborative research, access to advanced facilities and imparting training in frontier areas. These centres should be supported on a long term basis in a substantial manner to enable them to realize internationally competitive status.
   
   

4. Formal linkage between the Universities and national level institutions including CSIR laboratories be promoted through joint research projects and training. Linkages of Universities and their faculty with industries and user organizations should be encouraged. There should be provision for joint appointments/visiting professorship to stimulate collaborative research.
   
   

5. The system of both Winter and Summer Schools must be supported. Each subject area of Basic Sciences may offer up to ten programmes a year. There should be a provision for visiting Fellowships for faculty within the Country.
   
   

6. In order to promote quality scientific research in Universities, infrastructural facilities ought to be upgraded by providing development grants for modern laboratories, physical infrastructure including uninterrupted power supply, water, safety requirements of international standards, high level equipment with built-in maintenance mechanism, exclusive research students’ hostel and a research fund etc.
   
   

7. The number of Ph.Ds from Indian Universities should increase five-fold within a span of ten years with proper standards. This should be seen in the context of extremely low fraction of Ph.Ds in India in relation to M.Sc./B.Tech., as compared to what it is in USA, UK, Germany, Japan etc. The emphasis for research will clearly emerge if we have Universities with only Departments and separately Universities having affiliated colleges.
   
   

8. An empowered autonomous body headed by an eminent scientist/academician with an Advisory Board comprising scientists and engineers shall be set up by the UGC for the purpose of implementing the aforesaid initiatives.
   
   

9. The Ministry of Human Resource Development should provide earmarked grants of Rs.600 crores per annum for implementation of the programme of improving scientific research in Universities. This earmarked grant may be utilized for the following activities.
   
   

   S.No.	Activity	Budget(Rs. in crores, p.a.)
   1.	Support for Infrastructure Development in the Universities	400
   2.	Setting up of 10 Centres in Basic Sciences	150
   3.	Recurrent grants for Research Scientists	10
   4.	Research Fellowships and Post-Doctoral Fellowships	5
   5.	Winter and Summer Schools and Linkages programmes	20
   6.	Establishment cost of implementing Agency	15
   Grand Total		600

   
   

10. Facilitating Recommendations
    
    

    1. The eligibility qualifications for a Lecturer in the University Science Departments should be Ph.D. However, in the departments of engineering and medicine, initially a lecturer may be appointed with M.Tech./MD or MS qualifications, respectively, with the stipulation of acquiring Ph.D. within 7 years of appointment.

    2. Teachers guiding research scholars should be given credit in terms of their work load. For every research scholar, the teacher should be credited 2 hours per week in the prescribed work load.

    3. The age of retirement of University teachers must be uniform all over the country.

    4. Women participation in basic science research should be enhanced by way of removing age bar and introducing flexi-time approach.

    5. Five-year integrated M.Sc. programmes for higher secondary students and integrated Ph.D. programmes for graduates should be introduced in select central and state universities.

    6. All post-graduate programmes pertaining to science and technology should have an inbuilt component of research.

    7. The present system of National Eligibility Test (NET) for determining the eligibility for Lecturer and for award of Research Fellowship ought to be revisited with a view to bringing about qualitative improvement in the selection procedure.

    8. In addition to Research Fellowship awarded by different National Funding Agencies, every university shall be provided, for pursuing Doctoral research, 50 fellowships in Basic Sciences based on past performance of Departments. Post-doctoral Fellowships should be introduced for a maximum period of two years on a highly selective basis.

    9. All UGC-SAP Departments, DST-FIST Departments and the research centres funded by national agencies should be conferred complete autonomy with academic, administrative and financial powers. The Acts of the State Universities may have to be revisited to bring about necessary amendments to this effect.

    10. Every Institution of higher learning should earmark 5% of its non-plan budget for the furtherance of research in basic sciences. 10% of the capital grant allocated to each University should be provided as annual maintenance grants towards spare parts, annual maintenance contracts, some add-on facilities and repairs, etc. The overhead charges provided to the Universities should be made uniform at 15%.