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An interview with several science secretaries of the Government of India is presented including Thirumalachari Ramasami, Maharaj Kishan Bhan and Shailesh Nayak. When asked about the new National Science and Engineering Research Board, Ramasami states that the board is similar to the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the U.S. Bhan mentions the disadvantages of being a science secretary. Nayak comments on the objectives of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

In this article, the author discusses the challenges encountered following the initiation of the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India. It notes that KVPY opens fellowships for medical and engineering students who have the ability to design an original research project based on science. It points out that it increases the number of examination centres across the country.

The Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), an organ of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, promotes research in new and emerging areas of science and engineering by way of extending financial support to different agencies. During the financial year 1999-2000, SERC provided financial support amounting to approximately Rs 551 million to 270 project investigators in various disciplines of science and engineering. The present article examines the publication output of these investigators using SCI CD-ROM for the years 2000-02 and the citations received by these papers during 2000-03. Activity and attractivity profile of different agencies in different disciplines and their impact based on different impact indicators like citation per paper and relative quality index have been studied. The article also examines the communication behaviour of these investigators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary provides arguments about the new Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of India and its compliance with the processes of formation of the subsystem of grassroots innovations support and development taking place in India. Despite the apparent lack of practical content on the informal sector in the new policy, the existing ecosystem is supported by the State. For its more efficient and large-scale operation, this support should be organized and incorporated into the general pool of measures of development of the national innovation system of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the implications of the minority status of women in science in India. Accordingly, a low representation of women in science is regarded a serious limitation when the numbers decline to achieve a critical mass. It states that acquirement of critical mass helps in giving a greater circle of women to depend on for support and advice. Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology in New Delhi has two strategies to encourage women to take up research after a break in career.

The author discusses aspects of ameliorating the effectiveness of the Indian Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Department of Science and Technology's (DST) Open Access Policy. He mentions its aim in ensuring the availability of knowledge to the public. An overview of its impact factors (IF) is also presented.

A letter to the editor related to establishment of Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of Government of India, and initiatives of DST to foster animal sciences in the country, is presented.

The author offers information on women scientists as a great contribution to human resources across the world and issue of gender inequality in women scientists in India. Topics discussed include inequity raised particularly in writings of social scientists, policies of the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) for women in science and increasing awareness among the women scientists in India.

The article focuses on the development of state science and technology (S&T) infrastructure in India by the central S&T agencies. Topics discussed include Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal being the first states to establish state S&T councils, the functioning of state S&T councils depending upon the financial support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the effect of the gross domestic product (GDP) on the budget allocation by DST for the state council.

The article focuses on an innovative programme "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research" (INSPIRE) sponsored by Indian Government's Department of Science & Technology (DST). It mentions that the Camp selection is based on the marks obtained in 10th standard examination and inclusion of intelligence skill has been suggested by noted educationist M. Koul. It further suggests that DST should funds to those institutions which provide lodging facility to students.

The article offers information on the Department of Science and Technology (DST) which launched an ambitious project titled "INSPIRE" to encourage students of secondary schools to pursue higher education in science in India.

The article focuses on the National Biotechnology Development strategy of the Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Science & Technology in India that aims to earn billions of dollars in the Indian biotechnology industry of by 2025.

The article reports on the release of the book "26th December 2004 Tsunami: A Geoscientific Perspective" at a meeting organized by the Indian Department of Science and Technology and Anna University. Two perspective papers on the Indian Ocean tsunami and seven theme papers about the results of research projects are included in the first section of the book. S. M. Hussain of Madras University revealed the findings of micro-palaeontological studies in the second session of the meeting.

The article focuses on the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme by Indian Ministry of Science & Technology, that will award money to people aged between 10 and 32 through fellowships, prizes, and scholarships and the views of people on the same.

A letter to the editor is presented related to the Department of Science & Technology (DST) Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme, which helps to attract and explore the hidden scientific talent of India.

The article focuses on the Indo Swiss Capacity Building Programme on Himalayan Glaciology developed under the Indian Himalayan Climate Change and Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) along with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Climate Change Programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It says that the programme aims to develop the human, institutional and knowledge capacities and allow young researchers to understand the glacier system and its process.

The article offers information on a campaign named "Eyes on ISON" that has been launched by India's Department of Science & Technology to engage school children to witness a rare celestial event of a sun-grazing comet named ISON on November 28, 2013. It informs that the campaign will provide free science experiments sessions, astronomy exhibitions and sky-gazing camps in schools and public places across the country.

The article offers news briefs related to genomics study across the world as of September 2013. The Tata Institiute of Fundamental Research has launched a research program in collaberation with the University of Illinois, to develop computers for human genomics analysis. An eminent entomologist has emphasized on the need of new technology to handle huge genomics datasets. India's Department of Biotechnology's secretary K. Vijay Raghavan states that sequencing of native crop is a big challenge.