Explanation:

• In 2014, DST restructured all women-specific programmes under one umbrella called Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN), which encompasses women-exclusive schemes and encourages them to foster their career by not only undertaking research in Science and Technology (S&T) but also focusing on S&T solutions of issues & challenges at the grassroots level for social benefits.

To encourage women to continue the research in S&T, the Ministry provides fellowships through the following categories:

• Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A) – Research in Basic/Applied Science
• Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B) – S&T interventions for Societal Benefit
• Women Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C) – Internship in Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for the Self-Employment