KIRAN SCHEME

UPSC Current affairs - Climate Financing

KIRAN SCHEME

Context:

  • During 2020-21, the Department of Science and Technology has provided financial support of the tune of around Rs. 95 crores on various women centric programmes under KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement for Nurturing) Scheme.
  • Around 110 women scientists from 24 States/UTs in ‘Women Scientist Scheme’ received financial assistance under KIRAN during 2020-21.

About

  • In the year 2014, Department has restructured all the women specific programmes under one umbrella known as “KIRAN” (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing).
  • KIRAN is addressing various issues related with women scientists (e.g. unemployment, relocation etc.) and aimed to provide opportunities in research (WOS-A), technology development/demonstration (WOS-B), and self-employment (WOS-C) etc.
  • KIRAN is also actively involved in taking proactive measures, under the name CURIE (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities) to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure in women universities in order to attract, train and retain promising girls students in S&T domain.
  • The Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Scheme is one of the several pioneering initiatives started by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for promoting women in science.
  • The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing ‘Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN)’ Scheme to provide various career opportunities to women scientists and technologists.
  • It is primarily aimed to bring gender parity in the Science & Technology sector by inducting more women talent in the research & development domain through various programmes.
  • It also provides fellowship support ranging from Rs 25000 to 55000 to women ranging in the age group 27 to 57 years for continuing higher education in Science and Technology after a break in career.

Source: THE HINDU.