PIB Summaries 20 March 2025

Content:

1. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN S &T
2. Coal Gasification Initiative

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN S &T

Government-led R&D initiatives in academic institutions foster innovation, strengthen industry-academia collaboration, and enhance India’s global research competitiveness.

Relevance : GS-3 ( Science & Technology, Innovation)

Significance of R&D Measures in Academic Institutions

• Bridging Theory and Practice: Exposure to R&D enables students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems.
• Fostering Innovation & Critical Thinking: Encourages creativity and problem-solving abilities through hands-on research.
• Academia-Industry Collaboration: Strengthens the linkage between academic institutions and industries, facilitating technology transfer.
• Enhancing Global Competitiveness: Provides students with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international research exposure.
• Preparation for Knowledge-Driven Economy: Trains students to meet the demands of an evolving economy driven by research, technology, and innovation.

Impact of Government-Led R&D Initiatives on Student Exposure

• Ph.D. Enrollment Growth: Increased by 81.2% from 1.17 lakh (2015-16) to 2.13 lakh (2021-22).
• Rise in Female Participation: Female Ph.D. enrollment doubled from 48,000 (2014-15) to 99,000 (2021-22), enhancing gender representation.
• Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education:
  • Overall GER increased from 23.7% (2014-15) to 28.4% (2021-22) for ages 18-23 years.
  • Female GER rose from 22.9% (2014-15) to 28.5% (2021-22).
• STEM Enrollment: 25.6% of total enrollments (98.49 lakh students in 2021-22) were in STEM fields at UG, PG, and Ph.D. levels.

Key R&D Initiatives by the Government

A. Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Initiatives

• Fellowship Programs:
  • DBT-JRF, DBT-RA, Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship, BioCARe Fellowship, and M K Bhan Fellowship provide research opportunities.

• Research Infrastructure Support (RRSFP Programme):
  • DBT-BUILDER: Strengthened 177 departments in 45 universities/institutes (Central, State, and Private).
  • DBT-SAHAJ: Created a national research resource-sharing platform for academia and industry collaboration.

• Star College Programme (2008):
  • Focuses on hands-on experimental science at UG level to encourage students toward research careers.

• DBT-BIRAC Amrit Team Grant:
  • Supports collaborative research between academia, clinical institutions, and startups.

B. Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) Initiatives

• CSIR Doctoral & Postdoctoral Fellowships:
  • Provides fellowships for young researchers, with over 650 academic and R&D institutions benefiting.

• Support for Research Projects:
  • Financial assistance for frontier scientific research, contributing to scientific publications, patents, and technology development.

• India’s Global Research Standing:
  • Ranked 3rd globally in publishing Science and Engineering research articles.
  • Increased researchers per million population from 215 (2015) to 260 (2020).

C. Department of Science and Technology (DST) Initiatives

1. INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research):
   1. INSPIRE Internship: Science camps for top 1% Class X students.
   1. Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE): 12,000 annual scholarships for UG-level students in science.
   1. INSPIRE Fellowship: 1,000 fellowships annually for Ph.D. students.
   1. INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship: 100 fellowships annually for young researchers (27-32 years).

• FIST (Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure):
  • Supports basic infrastructure and emerging research facilities.
  • Benefitted 3,072 departments & PG colleges, with a ₹3,130.82 crore budget.

• SATHI Centres (Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institutes):
  • Provides high-end research equipment and training for researchers, MSMEs, and startups.

• PURSE (Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence):
  • Strengthens university R&D ecosystems and capabilities.

• WISE-KIRAN (Women in Science & Engineering):
  • Provides targeted programs for women scientists to improve participation in S&T research.

Conclusion:

• Increased Research Output: Higher Ph.D. enrollments and research projects contribute to India’s scientific advancements.
• Stronger Academia-Industry Linkages: Facilitates technology transfer and innovation in industries.
• Greater Global Competitiveness: Empowers students for international research collaborations and cutting-edge technological advancements.

Coal Gasification Initiative

Coal gasification is a strategic initiative that converts coal into syngas, facilitating cleaner energy production and reducing import dependence on fossil fuels. The government’s ₹8,500 crore incentive and policy reforms aim to promote sustainable industrial growth and align with India’s Vision 2047 for a developed economy.

Relevance : GS-3 (Infrastructure, Energy Security, Environment & Economy)

Financial Incentive for Coal Gasification Projects

• Outlay of ₹8,500 crore: Approved on January 24, 2024, to promote coal/lignite gasification.
• Covers both PSUs and private sector: Aims to encourage widespread adoption of gasification technology.

Investment by Coal India Limited (CIL) in Joint Ventures

• CIL-BHEL and CIL-GAIL Joint Ventures: Established for coal gasification projects.
• Strategic partnerships: Aim to enhance technological capabilities and execution efficiency.

Creation of a New Sub-Sector for Syngas Production (2022)

• “Production of Syngas leading to coal gasification” added under NRS linkage auctions policy.
• Support through auction mechanisms:
  • Floor price set at the notified price of the regulated sector.
  • Applicable to projects commissioned within seven years.

Incentives for Coal Gasification in Commercial Coal Block Auctions

• 50% rebate on revenue share for coal used in gasification.
• Condition: At least 10% of total coal production from the block must be used for gasification.

Strategic Importance of Coal Gasification

• Alternative use of coal: Converts coal into syngas (synthetic gas).
• Key downstream products:
  • Methanol – Used in chemicals and fuels.
  • Ammonium Nitrate – Essential for fertilizers and explosives.
  • Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) – Alternative to conventional natural gas.
  • Fertilizers – Reducing dependence on imported fertilizers.
• Supports environmental sustainability by reducing direct coal combustion emissions.
• Aligns with India’s Vision 2047 of achieving a developed, self-reliant economy.

Impact Assessment Status

• No specific impact assessment of the financial incentive scheme has been conducted yet.

CIL’s Expansion into Critical Minerals

• Acquisition of Khattali Chhoti Graphite Block (Madhya Pradesh) through e-auction.
• Global partnerships:
  • Signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with companies from Argentina and Australia.
  • Focus on acquiring lithium assets in Argentina.

Reducing Import Dependency on Critical Minerals

• Exclusive auction rights to Central Government for 24 critical minerals.
• Critical Mineral Mission (Union Budget 2024-25):
  • Focus areas:
    • Domestic production
    • Recycling
    • Overseas acquisitions
    • Research & Development (R&D)
  • Aims to ensure self-sufficiency and supply chain resilience in critical minerals.

Conclusion

• The coal gasification initiative is a major step toward energy security and reducing environmental impact.
• Financial and policy incentives aim to boost private and public sector participation.
• CIL’s expansion into critical minerals aligns with India’s efforts to reduce import dependency.