Cabinet clears Rs. 2,277 crore scheme to advance R&D and train next-gen scientists

The CBHRD scheme, comprising fellowships, research grants, recognition awards, and travel support, aims to strengthen India’s science and technology workforce and boost innovation by nurturing talent and promoting knowledge exchange across institutions

In a major push to strengthen India’s scientific ecosystem, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research’s (DSIR) flagship scheme, Capacity Building and Human Resource Development (CBHRD). The scheme comes with a total outlay of Rs. 2,277.40 crore and will be implemented over the Fifteenth Finance Commission period (2021–22 to 2025–26).

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will serve as the nodal agency for implementing the initiative. Targeting premier R&D institutions, universities, Institutes of National Importance, and national laboratories, the scheme aims to nurture a skilled talent pool in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Medical, and Mathematical) fields. Special focus will be given to supporting young researchers aspiring for careers in academia, industry, and government labs.

Driving innovation and global competitiveness

The CBHRD scheme is structured around four sub-schemes: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships; Extramural Research and Fellowship Programmes; Recognition and Awards; and Travel and Symposia Grants for knowledge exchange. Together, these initiatives are designed to expand India’s science and technology workforce and enhance innovation capacity.

This move aligns with India’s broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by increasing the number of researchers per million population and boosting output in high-impact scientific fields. India's global standing in innovation has steadily improved—rising to 39th in the Global Innovation Index 2024, according to WIPO—and the country is now among the top three globally for scientific publications, as per data from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

This scheme marks a significant milestone in CSIR’s 84-year journey, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a world-class, research-driven economy and positioning India as a global leader in science and innovation.