Science & technology gets Rs 7,288 cr boost

In what could be a major boost to the field of Science and Technology, the government has allocated Rs 7,288 crore in the Union Budget 2015-16 for conducting research, giving a hike of Rs 1,793 crore compared to the budget of 2014-15.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has three sub-departments - Department of S&T (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The DST has received highest allocation of Rs 3,401 crore, while the CSIR, which controls one of the premier scientific reserach centres and laboratories conducting a range of research, has been allocated Rs 2,281 crore and DBT has been allocated Rs 1,606 crore.

Sources, however, added that the increased allocation was subject to revision, which could dampen the spirit. In 2014-15 Budget, the Ministry of S&T was alloted Rs 6,725 crore, but it was revised to Rs 5,495 crore.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has been allocated Rs 1,179 crore in the budget.
Emphasis has been given on Oceanographic Research, for which Rs 669 crore have been alloted, and Rs 425 crore for research in Meteorology.