MHRD Introduces SPARC & IMPRESS Portals To Promote Research And Innovation

Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD), has launched web portals of two schemes, namely IMPRESS and SPARC. The portals are introduced in order to build an ecosystem of research in educational institutions.

Javadekar said, "A country achieves prosperity on a sustainable basis only through innovation which can happen only by good research and which is currently a major focus area of the government."

The aim of Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS) is to identify and fund research proposals in social sciences with maximum impact on governance and society.

"It will provide an opportunity for social science researchers in any institution in the country which includes all universities (central and state) and also a few private institutions meeting the requirement," the Minister said.

The objective of Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) is to build the research ecosystem of India's higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions.

Javadekar further added, "It is a scheme for the promotion of academic and research collaboration. Under the scheme, we are giving Rs 418 crore for 600 joint research proposals. The idea is to stop brain drain and provide facilities so that they can do research in India."