<p>On the eve of Deepavali, the Centre has substantially increased the scholarship for more than 70,000 research students, who demanded better pay package for pursuing a career in science.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The new scholarships take retrospective effect from October 1. Science students undertaking PhD and post-doctoral studies will receive better stipend from the government along with other facilities like house rent allowance and medical benefits. <br /><br />Under the new package, junior research fellowship has been enhanced to Rs 25,000 from Rs 16,000, while senior research fellowship goes up to Rs 28,000 from the existing Rs 18,000.<br /><br />The hike for post doctoral studies will be from Rs 22,000 to Rs 36,000 (for research associate-1), from Rs 23,000 to Rs 38,000 (research associate-2) and from Rs 24,000 to Rs 40,000 (research associate-3).<br /><br />While research associate 1 and 2 are generally for one year, research associate-3 can continue the work till the person gets a position in a research institute. For comparison, the entry-level salary at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research is about Rs 50,000.<br /><br />“This is the biggest ever increase in the scholarship for research students,” said Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh.<br /><br />The new scheme will benefit almost 71,000 young scientists working in scientific organisations under the central government. <br /><br />The additional financial outgo will be Rs 750 crore every year, which the Finance Ministry has approved. <br /><br />Currently, Rs 1,663 crore is spent annually on the scholarships. “The action taken by the government suggests that things can be changed if we put in efforts,” Anjali Khatri, a research scholar at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />She was among the research students who held demonstration outside the department of science and technology in July, demanding better scholarships. <br />Several protests<br />Several protests and demonstrations were held in academic institutes across the country, including in Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chandigarh, compelling the government to revise the fellowships.<br />“One of our demands, for inflation-linked annual increase, has not been met. We will discuss it with the government,” Khatri said.<br />The last revision was in 2010 when students of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, sat on a hunger strike.<br /></p>
<p>On the eve of Deepavali, the Centre has substantially increased the scholarship for more than 70,000 research students, who demanded better pay package for pursuing a career in science.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The new scholarships take retrospective effect from October 1. Science students undertaking PhD and post-doctoral studies will receive better stipend from the government along with other facilities like house rent allowance and medical benefits. <br /><br />Under the new package, junior research fellowship has been enhanced to Rs 25,000 from Rs 16,000, while senior research fellowship goes up to Rs 28,000 from the existing Rs 18,000.<br /><br />The hike for post doctoral studies will be from Rs 22,000 to Rs 36,000 (for research associate-1), from Rs 23,000 to Rs 38,000 (research associate-2) and from Rs 24,000 to Rs 40,000 (research associate-3).<br /><br />While research associate 1 and 2 are generally for one year, research associate-3 can continue the work till the person gets a position in a research institute. For comparison, the entry-level salary at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research is about Rs 50,000.<br /><br />“This is the biggest ever increase in the scholarship for research students,” said Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh.<br /><br />The new scheme will benefit almost 71,000 young scientists working in scientific organisations under the central government. <br /><br />The additional financial outgo will be Rs 750 crore every year, which the Finance Ministry has approved. <br /><br />Currently, Rs 1,663 crore is spent annually on the scholarships. “The action taken by the government suggests that things can be changed if we put in efforts,” Anjali Khatri, a research scholar at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />She was among the research students who held demonstration outside the department of science and technology in July, demanding better scholarships. <br />Several protests<br />Several protests and demonstrations were held in academic institutes across the country, including in Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chandigarh, compelling the government to revise the fellowships.<br />“One of our demands, for inflation-linked annual increase, has not been met. We will discuss it with the government,” Khatri said.<br />The last revision was in 2010 when students of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, sat on a hunger strike.<br /></p>
