Delay in DBT Biocare Programme Funds

The article discusses the delayed disbursement of funds to women scientists selected under the DBT Biocare programme, an initiative by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) aimed at enhancing the career prospects of female researchers. Despite being selected nearly five months ago, none of the 75 chosen candidates have received the financial assistance or salaries that were promised.

Key Points:

• DBT Biocare Programme: Launched in 2011 by the DBT, which operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), the programme aims to support the career development of unemployed female scientists.

• Financial Support: The programme offers selected doctoral woman researchers a ₹60 lakh grant over three years, which includes a monthly salary of ₹75,000.

• Selection Process: On March 30, 2025, 75 women scientists were announced as beneficiaries of the programme. Generally, 50 women scientists are selected each year from 2020 to 2024.

• Current Situation: As of August 30, 2025, the selected researchers report that they have not received the necessary sanction letters or funds to commence their research projects, despite repeated queries to the DBT.

• Impact of Delays: The delay has forced some researchers to quit other opportunities, including international post-doctoral fellowships, resulting in a precarious situation as they await the funding.

• Official Response: Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the DBT, indicated that the funds would be issued within the next ten days.

• Policy Changes: The delay in fund disbursement is attributed to a change in the funds' disbursal policy implemented in November 2024. Under the new Treasury Single Account system, funds must now be routed through a centralized system linking beneficiary accounts to the Reserve Bank of India, which is intended to enhance transparency but has led to execution delays.

• Wider Implications: The article also references past delays in funding related to other government scholarship schemes, specifically highlighting similar issues with the INSPIRE fellowships, which signifies a systemic problem within the funding process under the Ministry.

The issue outlined in the article reflects the complex dynamics within government-funded research programs and the broader challenge of ensuring timely support for scientific endeavors, especially for underrepresented groups such as women scientists in India.

Summary:

• Delay in funding for DBT Biocare programme affecting 75 selected women scientists, none of whom received promised funds or salaries after five months.
• Each eligible researcher supposed to receive ₹60 lakh over three years, inclusive of a monthly salary of ₹75,000.
• Selection occurred on March 30, 2025, with historical data indicating an average of 50 selections annually from 2020 to 2024.
• The issue of delays linked to a new Treasury Single Account system aimed at centralizing disbursal, causing operational inefficiencies.
• DBT Secretary assured funds would be released shortly; however, the situation has already forced some researchers to decline alternative opportunities.
• Reflects a broader funding issue within governmental research support systems, impacting both current scientific work and future prospects for women in science.