Science research in India has become more lucrative with the government hiking the emoluments for junior researchers by almost 50 per cent.

After repeated appeals from science students willing to pursue a career in research, the department of science and technology has upped the fellowship between 45 and 50 per cent for doctorate and post-doctorate students.

For PhD students qualifying through the University Grants Commission-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s national eligibility test (NET), the fellowship will be Rs 12,000 per month instead of the current level of Rs 8000.

Similarly for the junior research fellow and senior research fellows (professional), the fellowship has been enhanced from Rs 9500 to Rs 14000 per month.

In both categories, the fellowship will be hiked by additional Rs 2500 in the third year of their research, Dr Aiyagari V Rao who heads the science and engineering research council at the DST told Deccan Herald. 

The post doctoral research associates too have reasons to rejoice. Their fellowships is raised from Rs 11000 to Rs 16000 per month (for category-1, fresh PhD holders); from Rs 11500 to Rs 17000 (for category-2) and from Rs 12000 to Rs 18000 for category-3 researchers with three to four years of experience.

“The new rates will come into effect from April 1, 2007 and almost 7000 students including 4500 PhD students will be benefited in the first year,” said DST secretary Dr T Ramasami. While CSIR gives 900 fellowships, another 300 is being given away by the UGC.

Lack of earnings by research students is considered as one of the factors responsible for making science an unattractive career option. Lack of financial reward had compelled many to shift to sectors like information technology, management and commerce.

“It will cost the state exchequer an additional Rs 65 crores, which has now been approved by the finance ministry,” Dr Ramasami said.

In addition DST will soon come out with a new legislation in the lines of the US Bayh-Dole act to reward scientists. This will ensure that in case of successful commercialisation of an indigenous technology, the scientist should receive at least one-third of the total amount paid by the industry for commercialisation.