STARS Scheme launched by HRD on National Science Day On the theme “Science for the People, and the People for Science”

500 Science projects will be funded based on a competition coordinated by IISC

Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has launched STARS – Scheme for Translational and Advanced Research in Science scheme on the eve of National Science Day celebrated every year on February 28th.
Its aim is to provide funds for projects related to science. The ministry has agreed to finance this scheme with funds of about Rs. 250 crore. More than 500 projects are expected to benefit from the funds of this scheme.
The selection of these projects would be done on the basis of competitions. The project will be coordinated by the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bangalore. Interested candidates will have to submit applications to take part in the competition.

Highlights of the STARS Scheme

Translational research: It is the process of applying knowledge from basic biology and clinical trials to techniques and tools that address critical medical needs. Unlike applied sciences, translational research is specifically designed to improve health outcomes. It uses an integrated team of experts who are focused on translating useful information from laboratories to doctors’ offices and hospitals.
Advanced Research in Science Projects: It is the facilitation program that will enable the students from science stream to pursue science projects with the fund provided by the Government. These science projects will be elected by IISC, Bangalore based on the competition.
Competition by IISC: Indian Institute of Science will conduct and coordinate the competition for selecting the science projects. The Government of India will fund Rs.250 crore for the projects.

National Science Day

National Science Day is celebrated in India on 28 February each year to mark the discovery of the “Raman Effect” by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman on 28 February 1928.
The event is now celebrated all over the country in schools, colleges, universities and other academic, scientific, technical, medical and research institutions.
National Science Day is being celebrated every year to widely spread a message about the Importance of science used in the daily life of the people. This is to display all the activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science for human welfare.

Themes of National Science over last 20 years

1999	2000	2001
“Our Changing Earth”	“Recreating Interest in Basic Science”	“Information Technology for Science Education”

2002	2003	2004
“Wealth From Waste”	“50 years of DNA & 25 years of IVF – The Blue print of Life”	“Encouraging Scientific Awareness in Community”

2005	2006	2007
“Celebrating Physics”	“Nurture Nature for our future”	“More Crop Per Drop”

2008	2009	2010
“Understanding the Planet Earth”	“Expanding Horizons of Science”	“Gender Equity, Science & Technology for Sustainable Development”

2011	2012	2013
“Chemistry in Daily Life”	“Clean Energy Options and Nuclear Safety”	“Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security”

2014	2015	2016
“Fostering Scientific Temper”	“Science for Nation Building”	“Scientific Issues for Development of the Nation”

2017	2018	2019
“Science and Technology for Specially able Persons”	“Science and Technology for a sustainable future.”	“Science for the People, and the People for Science”

Indian HRD’s program for Non-Science projects

HRD Ministry in collaboration with the National Skill Ministry and Labor and employment Ministry collaboratively launched SHREYAS – Scheme for Higher Education Youth for Apprenticeship and Skills to empower non-technical courses.
It announced to launch professional courses which would include 1000 hours of additional coursework out of which 250 will be dedicated to soft and ICT skilling (each) and rest 500 hours will be dedicated to specific skill courses. These courses will be open from this (2019-20) academic session onwards.

Pic courtesy:BW Education

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