Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Structured Competency Framework in Scientific Institutions

New Delhi: In a high-level meeting with secretaries and senior officials from various scientific ministries, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the need for a structured competency framework for individuals working in scientific institutions. The framework, to be developed in coordination with the Capacity Building Commission, will integrate both functional and domain-specific competencies to enhance efficiency and accountability within India’s scientific ecosystem.

Dr. Singh also stressed the importance of public outreach as a key performance indicator (KPI), stating that scientific institutions must assess “how much is my outreach to the public stakeholders.” He highlighted that science ministries often overlook this aspect, despite its crucial role in making scientific advancements more accessible to the public.

Taking stock of the “Vigyan Shakti” initiative, the Minister reviewed its progress and reiterated its role as a unified repository for scientific efforts, aiming to convert research into developmental outcomes. He noted that the initiative focuses on inter-agency collaboration, industry-academia partnerships, and governance enhancements to maximize scientific investments.

Dr. Singh also assessed the India Science, Technology, and Innovation (ISTI) Portal, which is designed to consolidate India’s scientific research database and make critical resources more accessible to researchers.

During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the Common Fellowship Portal, which serves as a one-stop platform for research grants in India. According to the latest data, the portal has seen over 5,000 registrations, with 1,500+ researchers completing their profiles and becoming eligible for fellowships. Dr. Singh expressed satisfaction with the growing participation and called for increased awareness efforts to ensure that young scientists benefit from these grants.

In a push to bridge the gap between scientific research and industry, Dr. Singh proposed that all scientific labs under various ministries develop an annual calendar for industrial meets. He emphasized that a structured engagement with the private sector would accelerate commercialization of scientific discoveries, ensuring technological breakthroughs reach the public efficiently.

Dr. Singh also urged scientific departments to explore opportunities to attach tribal students to scientific institutes for internships and research exposure. He stressed that such initiatives would help underprivileged students gain valuable insights into research and innovation, fostering diversity and inclusivity in India’s scientific community.

The meeting was attended by Dr. A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Biotechnology, Ravi Chandran, Secretary, Earth Sciences, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR, Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO, and other senior officials.