New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) scheme on “Capacity Building and Human Resource Development” with an outlay of Rs 2,277.39 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, officials said on Wednesday.

The scheme, to be implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will cover R&D institutions, national laboratories, institutes of eminence, universities and institutes of national importance across the country.

Officials said the initiative will provide a platform for young researchers in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Medical and Mathematical Sciences) under the mentorship of eminent scientists and professors. It also aims to boost India's researcher density and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the S&T sector.

The umbrella scheme has four sub-schemes — Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships; Extramural Research, Emeritus Scientist and Bhatnagar Fellowship programmes; Promotion of Excellence through awards; and Travel and Symposia grants for knowledge sharing.

The government said sustained efforts in R&D have helped India improve to the 39th rank in the Global Innovation Index 2024, besides placing the country among the top three globally in scientific publications.

The approval coincides with CSIR completing 84 years of service, and the scheme is expected to further accelerate India's R&D ecosystem.