Pay Package & Career Advancement: CSIR Scientists

Several Indian Scientific organizations are engaged in promoting research and development of cutting edge technologies. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is recognized for its contribution to development of scientific and industrial research and acclaimed nationally for its sustained contribution to human resource development in the field of science and technology.

Modified Flexible Complementing Scheme (MFCS) was introduced in almost all Scientific Departments, barring few such as Indian Council of Agricultural Research (UGC scheme is applicable here), declared as Scientific by Ministry of Science and Technology. DRDO and Departments of Atomic Energy and Space have continued with MPS scheme and kept themselves out of MFCS.

Promotions of Scientists under MFCS are independents of the vacancies but limited to promotions up to the Grade Pay (GP) of Rs 10,000. Departments covered in the MFCS include viz., Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Water Resources ( MWR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHFW) and Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MOCA).

Several measures were devised in the past to attract and retain scientific talent in government like introduction of the Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) de-linking progression in the hierarchy from availability of vacancies to ensure time-bound career progression for meritorious scientists. Departments like Space and Atomic Energy and DRDO were allowed to devise their respective Merit Promotion Scheme (MPS) on the lines of FCS.

The fifth CPC made certain changes to the FCS at Group `A’ level and recommended uniform application of this modified FCS to all scientific departments including DRDO, Space and Atomic Energy. The government, however, did not accept the recommendation for extension of the modified FCS to all departments. The existing scheme of FCS with necessary modifications (MFCS) was recommended by VI CPC to continue for R&D professionals in all S&T Organizations and merit based promotion scheme in the Department of Atomic energy, Space and DRDO to continue.

A division of CSIR called HRDG endeavors to strengthen human resources (Scientists in the 15-65 years age group) in the S&T sector through various grants and fellowship schemes.

A brief description of various activities of HRDG is as follows:

CSIR Programme on Youth for Leadership in Science (CPYLS) CSIR laboratories contact and pay traveling allowances to top fifty eligible science students from various secondary school to visit labs and allow them to use facilities and do project work at CSIR institutions till they complete their graduation. This scheme was initiated by CSIR in the year 1999.

CSIR Diamond Jubilee Research Interns Awards A stipend of Rs 1500/- PM is given for a period of two years to graduates below the age of 25 years (5 yrs relaxation to SC/ST) possessing first class BE/B Tech/B Arch/B Pharm/M Sc/MBBS degrees to work as research interns and as per the terms and conditions advertised by the CSIR labs. This program was launched in 2003.

1. JRF-Net examination is conducted since 1983 to award a stipend of Rs 16000/- PM along with an annual contingent grant of Rs 20000/- to MSc students who have secured 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) for carrying out Ph.D. work . Duration of stipend is 5 years and based on the performance, scholarship is upgraded to SRF after two years.

2. JRF-GATE is in force since 2002 and awarded to BE/BTech/BArch/BPharm or ME/MTech (last semester) with valid GATE score. Scholarship is tenable at CSIR labs as per notification conditions and amount, duration of scholarship are similar to JRF-NET.

3. Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (SPMF) Fellowship was launched in 2001 and awarded to top 20% of NET qualified candidates of the preceding year or GATE qualified candidates with valid score of 99 + percentile. An amount of Rs. 20,000/- PM upgradable to Rs.24,000/-pmafter two years with annual contingency grant of Rs. 70,000/- is provided for a period of five years.

4. SRF is awarded to students of Basic Sciences, Engineering & Medical Sciences scholars @ Rs. 18000/- pm with annual contingency grant of Rs. 20,000/- . SRF is tenable for a period of 3/4 years or a total JRF + SRF tenure of 5 years.

Besides above scholarships and schemes, HRDG awards various Associateship, post Doctoral Fellowships, grants and awards like Young Scientist Award.

The existing scales and revised scales after 6CPC are shown below in the table. The other conditions are as follows:

• All the Scientists in Pay Band-3 with Grade Pay of RS.6600 ,Rs. 7600 and Pay Band-4 with Grade Pay of Rs.8700, Rs. 8900, shall be given two additional increments after their normal pay fixation.
• Each increment shall be calculated @ 3% of the total Basic Pay in the respective pay band plus corresponding Grade Pay for those recruited/promoted after 1.1.2006 or from the date of option exercised for revised pay scale in respect of recruited/promoted before 1.1.2006.
• The two additional increments in PB-3 and PB-4 shall not be treated as part of pay for any purpose and shall be computed on the pay plus grade pay at the time of entry in the grade: it will remain constant during the entire period of residency in the grade and will be recomputed on promotion to the next grade.
• Scientists in Pay Band-4 in the pay scale of RS.37400-67000 with Grade Pay of RS.10,OOO will get Special Pay of RS.4000/- per month, as per the recommendations of the Sixth CPC.

The Professional Update Allowance has been enhanced w.e.f.1.9.2008 at the following rates :-

• Scientists in PB-3 (Rs.15600-39100) with Grade Pay of Rs. 5400, RS.6600 and RS.7600 : Rs 10,000 per annum
• Scientists in PB-4 (Rs.37400-67000) with Grade Pay of RS.8700 and RS.8900: Rs 20,000 per annum
• Scientists in PB-4 (Rs.37400-67000) with Grade Pay of RS.10000 & Rs. 12000 and above (i.e. HAG + Scale/Apex Scale): Rs 30,000 per annum

• Rate of annual increment has been retained at 3 percent.
• Majority of scientists as per the revision based on 7th CPC come under Pay Band-3 (15,600-39,100) and Pay Band-4 (37,400-67,000).

• Scientific officer H+ is under Pay Band 39,100-67,000 with Grade Pay 10,000 + SP 4,000

• OS (Outstanding scientist): HAG scale: 67,000-79,000
• DS (Distinguished Scientist): HAG+ scale: 75,500-80,000