26 Science and Technoloay
(nowUTs) and Uttarakhand] in the ratio of 90:10 Programming will be incorporated
(90% by the Centre and 10% by the State). For education that will lay a solid foundationin scha
other state UTs, it willbe 75:25. skills required for 21" century careers.
ttor medicinal plants, special category states are
100% financed by central government whereas it
wil be shared in 90: 10 ratio in other states.
2.51Stem Education and Challenges
t The ndian education system is facing
2.4.5 Expected Efectof the Mission thatlenges as compared to otherr developed nationmote
due to its çultural diversity and huge populatıo
t will improve AYUSH education through Despite the Right to Free and Compulsan
Fducation (RTE) Act, 2009 poor
lack of quality teacherS, overhaul infrastructure
upgraded AYUSHeducational institutions.
tCntersal access to AYUSH hospitas and of the
availability of drugs.J curriculum and the failure to identify early science
Encourage the traditional knowledge of AYUSH. and provide them with specialised educationtalenar
some key points that need to be taken care of
2.5 Stem Education: Strengthening improve STEM education in India.
Policies for Future Skilled Workforce There are large numbers of dropouts from the
science stream at the high schoolJeve The parallel
There are certain lacunae in the education system business of tuition/coaching çlasses is a clear index
in the country due to which it is becoming difficult of the lack of credibility of the school system.
to produce skilled workforce.
Though the Indian sch0o1 curriculum is strong 2.5.2 Operation of the Scheme
with respect to basic science and mathematics
content, but not good enough neither in case of The primaryscheme willble operatedin conjunction
engineering nor technology. with National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
tn today's highly competitive world, STEM (NAPS) which provides for placing of apprentices
or
Science, Technology, Engineering and upto 10% of thetotal work force in every busines
Mathematics education is in high demand with industry.
industries. The schemewill be implemented by the Sector Skil
The Indian education system has become the Councils (SSCs), initially the Banking Finance
largest and most complex in the world, with about Insurance Services (BFSI), Retail, Health care,
26 çrore children enrolled in classes I to XII. S Telecom, Logistics, Media, Management services,
fThe National Policy on Education 2016 during ITeS and Apparel More sectors would be added
the 12h Five-Year Plan recognised education over time with emerging apprenticeship demand
as the most important tool for social, economic and curriculum adjustments.
and cultural transformation and emphasised on 2.6 Recent Schemes Announced by
inpovation, critical thinking and skill development. Government
(The New Education Policy (NEP) approved by the
Union Cabinet on July 29", 2020 emphasises on 2.6.1 Impacting Research, Innovation and
schools to have more experiment-based classes Technology (IMPRINT)
and hand-on learningIt also recognises that
evidence-based learning, scientific temper and MPRINT is a Ministry of Human Resource
coding skills should be imparted in the students. Development (MHRD) nationalised scheme, intended
Introduction of coding from class 6 onwards to cater all main challenges of engineering signifcan
is a very welcome step which will strengthen to country during a comprehensiye and sustainabe
STEM learning{ Artificial Intelligence (AI), Block approach of translational research.
HAPIER2 | DifferentOrganisations, Institutions and Departmentsforthe DeveloprmentofScienceand TechnologyI 27
IMPRINT is first of its kind MHRD supported In December 2018, MHRD and DST launchedthe
scheme address major science and engineering next round of IMPRINT II, calledIMPRINT IIC
challenges and boost original scientific and techn0 (Societal Mission Projects) with an aim to seek
logical rescarch in 10 technology identified domains in proposals related to 20 very specific technologY
hecountrlwas launched in November 2015 with an development themes of major societal relevance/
ain to develop new engineering education policy and benefit, selected from the proposals sent by various
eroadmap to pursue engincering challenges These
create
andICT,
partner ministries,
10domains are Hcalth Care, Computer Sciencę
River Systens.
Advance Materials, Water Resources and 2.6.2 NIDHI (National lnitiative for Developing
Sustaznable Urban Design, Defence, Nano-Technology and Harnessing Innovations)
Change
Hardware. Environmental Science and Climate
and Energy Security. The Department of Science & Technology, Government
of India has launched NIDHI (National Initiative for
(IMPRINT provides overarching vision that guides Developing and Harnessing Innovations) as an umbrella
predominantly sociallý
research into areas that are programme under which programmes for setting up
[Link] under IMPRINT-I, IITs and
IISC,
facing of incubators, seed fund, accelerators and 'Proof of
were asked to identify major areas where India is concept gránt for innovators and entrepreneurs have
Now itsscope
engineering and technological challenge with been launched.1
also has been expanded to private institutions along
funded tUnder NIDHI, PRAYAS (Promoting and
IITs and IISC under IMPRINT-II and jointly
Science and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators &
andsteered by MHRDand Department of Startups) programme has been initiated in which
Technology (DST)The implementation of 142 projects established Technology Business Incubators (TBI) are
under IMPRINT-Iare already underway. (Iheseprojects supported with PRAYAS grant to support innovators
councils
have received support from several ministries,
and departments in addition to MHRD.
and entrepreneurs with grants for 'Proof of Concept'
IMPRINT-II has been approved by Government and developing prototypes.
of India (GOI) with a revised strategy under which, [Link] Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR)
this national initiative will be jointly funded and
Programme
steered by MHRD and Department of Science and
Technology (DST). J Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Programme is
While any facúlty member from an MHRD unded one of the programmes introduced under NIDHI
Higher Education Institute (HEI) including which was launched in 2020. J
Centrally Funded Technical Institution (CFTI) It supports aspiring or budding entrepreneur of
may lead as the Principal Investigator (PI), single considerable potential for pursuing a promising
or multiple partners from stake holder ministry, technology business idea over a period up to 18
institutions, PSUs, strategicagencies and industry months with a subsistence grant up to 30000
are welcome as Co-PI, partner or collaborator. per month with a maximum cap for total support
MPRINT II solicited innovative idea-based of3.6 lakh to each EIR over a maximum of 18
translational project propoşals promising months.
development of viable technology (product,
Prgcess or prototype). 2.7 Indian Science Congress Association
IMPRINT-: For advancing research in the The Indian Science Congress Association was started
higher education institutions, the government has in the year 1914 in Kolkata and has a membership of
approved 122 new research projects at a cost of more than 30,000 scientists It owes its origin to the
112 crore under IMPRINTII covering energy. foresight and initiative of two British chemists, namely,
security, healthcare, advanced materials, ICT and [Professor J.L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon.
Security/Defence domains. They thought that scientific research in India might be