Context: Recently, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), has launched a scheme called Accelerate Vigyan (AV) to strengthen scientific research mechanisms in the country.
Key Points

• Objective: To give more thrust on encouraging high-end scientific research and preparing scientific manpower, which can lead to careers in research and knowledge-based economy.
• Vision: To expand the research base, with three broad goals i.e. consolidation/aggregation of all scientific programs, initiating high-end orientation workshops, and creating opportunities for research internships.

About the Scheme

• The objective of this scheme is to give more thrust on encouraging high-end scientific research and preparing scientific manpower.
• The aim is to expand the research base in the country, with three broad goals.
• Consolidation / aggregation of all scientific training programs.
• Initiating High end Orientation Workshops
• Creating opportunities for Research Internships.
• Scheme primarily focuses on young potential researchers with an aim to give an opportunity to them to spend quality time in the pre-identified premier institution, labs / organizations and empower them through best practices and environment.

Programmes under the Scheme

ABHYAAS

• It aims to boost research and development in the country by enabling potential PG/PhD students by means of developing their research skills in selected areas across different disciplines.

It has two components: High-End Workshops (KARYASHALA) and Research Internships (VRITIKA).

• This is especially important for those researchers who have limited opportunities to access such learning capacities / facilities / infrastructure.

SAMMOHAN

• It aims to encourage, aggregate and consolidate all scientific interactions in the country under one common roof.

It has been sub-divided into SAYONJIKA and SANGOSHTI.

• SAYONJIKA (chronicle) is an open-ended program to catalogue the capacity building activities in science and technology supported by all government funding agencies in the country.
• SANGOSHTI (Seminar or Symposia) is designed to facilitate the scientific community to establish an interaction with other individuals and research groups to enhance knowledge exchange.

Implementation

• SERB will centrally coordinate with the other ministries/departments/organizations for achieving the three goals of AV.
• An Inter-Ministerial Overseeing Committee (IMOC) is constituted to help and support SERB in implementing the scheme.

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)

• SERB was established under the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.
• It is a statutory body with requisite financial and administrative autonomy for performing its mandated functions.
• It was set up for promoting basic research in science and engineering and to provide financial assistance to scientists, academic institutions, R&D laboratories, industrial concerns and other agencies for such research.
• It is Chaired by Secretary, Department Of Science And Technology (DST).