Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS) scheme has been launched to promote Social Science Research in the country.
The broad objectives of the scheme are:
To identify and fund research proposals in social sciences with maximum impact on the governance and society.
To ensure selection of projects through a transparent, competitive process on online mode.
To provide opportunity for social science researchers in all the Central and State Universities and private institutions with 12(B) status conferred by UGC.
The Indian Council of Social Science and Research (ICSSR) is the project implementing agency.
Where 1500 research projects will be awarded for 2 years to support the social science research in the higher educational institutions and to enable research to guide policy making.
10 Monuments adopted under ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project
The ‘Adopt A Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ scheme is a collaborative effort by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State/UTs Governments.
It focuses development and maintenance of tourist amenities at heritage sites and making them tourist friendly, to enhance tourism potential and cultural importance in a planned and phased manner.
The Project envisages involvement of Private/Public Companies / Organizations and Individuals to adopt Monuments, Natural Heritage Sites and other Tourist Sites in the country, primarily under CSR for funding.
The 10 monuments adopted under the scheme are – Red Fort,
Gandikota Fort, Gangotri Temple and Trail to Gaumukh, Mt.Stok Kangri Trek in Ladakh, Jantar Mantar, Surajkund, Qutub Minar, Ajanata caves, Leh Palace, Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools
To boost educational infrastructure in tribal areas, 462 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools will be set up in all blocks with over 50% tribal population and over 20,000 tribals.
The CCEA has approved a financial cost of Rs. 2242.03 crore during 2018-19 and 2019-20 for rolling out the revamped scheme.
Apart from school building including hostels and staff quarters, provision fora playground, students' computer lab, teacher resource room etc. are also included in the EMRSs.
An autonomous Society under Ministry of Tribal Affairs will look after the running of the EMRSs
Also an additional 20% of the grant would be provided towards construction cost in North East, hilly areas, difficult areas and areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.
India’s First Railway University
The National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI) in Vadodara, Gujarat is the first railway university in India and third such university in the world after Russia and China.
At present it has two under-graduate programmes - B.Sc. in Transportation Technology and BBA programme in Transportation Management.
The university also aims to start master’s programme from 2019-20 academic session in areas such as Transportation and Systems Design, Transport Systems Engineering, Transport Policy and Economics, among others.
The Ministry of Railways is funding the university and has sanctioned Rs 4.21 billion for next five years.
