In Yesterday’s online live session, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated SERB POWER programmes. POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research) is a step crucial for the development of women in India and it is also “the epitome of Atmanirbhar Bharat”, said Dr. Harsh Vardhan. He also said that a race cannot be won with one leg but both legs viz. men and women need to work together in order to win.
SERB POWER is further divided into two parts:
- SERB POWER fellowships
- SERB POWER Research grants.
SERB POWER fellowships will be given to women in the age group 35-55 years up to 3 years. In this programme women will be paid ₹15,000 in addition to their regular income, while research grants will be of ₹10,00,000 per annum for 3 years. According to Dr. Harsh Vardhan, women in research is a vision Government wants to achieve and by the time this vision is achieved there will be at least 20-30% women associated with Research and Development of pure and applied sciences.
SERB POWER Research grants will be made available in two levels, the first level will allow women from universities like IISc, IITs, IISERs, NISERs, Central Universities, National Labs, etc. to avail up to ₹60,00,000 for 3 years. The second level will consist of women from State universities, private institutions, etc. Where they will be made available with up to ₹30,00,000 for three years.
SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) is a body under the Department of Science and Technology. Dr. Harsh Vardhan mentioned that this will help women who were not provided with opportunities before or were subject to career interruptions due to some problems. Government plans to achieve this vision with flying colors.
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