Central Govt Education & Learning

Star College Scheme For Strengthening Of Science Education And Training At Undergraduate Level

The Star College Scheme from the Department of Biotechnology funds government and government-aided colleges to improve undergraduate science education — upgrading labs, buying equipment, and promoting hands-on experimental learning. Colleges receive a one-time grant plus recurring annual support for up to 3 years. Apply online through the DBT ePROMIS portal.

Department Of Biotechnology For: Infra Official Source

About This Scheme

Full official description

The Dept. of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a scheme "Star College Scheme for Strengthening of Science Education and Training at Undergraduate Level" for improving critical thinking and 'hands-on' experimental work at the undergraduate (college) level in sciences. It is expected to encourage, more students to take up higher education in science. DBT will identify colleges with ambition and potential for excellence and provide academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and unique exposure of students to experimental science.

The Star College Scheme is a pan-India Scheme that envisages a Star College in every district of the country, thus the Department shall exert dialogues with the State Government and identify colleges that can be considered for support under this Scheme. DBT has supported over 200 undergraduate colleges across the country in the past 9 years. Apart from financial support, colleges benefit tremendously from guidance received in Advisory Committee Meetings, mentoring, Task Force Meetings, and learning from peers in other colleges.

Objectives

To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training.
To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process to stimulate original thinking through ‘hands-on’ exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools.
To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and other laboratories.
To conduct specialized training programs for faculty improvement for optimizing technical capabilities.
To increase capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading existing facilities.
To provide access and exposure to students to research laboratories and industries in the country.
To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) / kits for practicals.
To provide better library facilities to students and teachers.

Benefits

One-time non-recurring grant of ₹10,00,000 per science department for equipment and infrastructure
Recurring grant of ₹3,00,000 per science department per year for 3 years (subject to annual review)
Additional ₹1–3 lakh per college per year for mentoring and monitoring (based on department count)
₹1,00,000 per year for contingency expenses
Equipment up to ₹1 lakh per item can be purchased directly; items costing ₹1–3 lakh require prior DBT approval

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Government or government-aided autonomous colleges under Section 2(f)/12(B) of the UGC Act 1956
Must offer at least 4–5 UG science courses (botany, zoology, biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology, etc.)
Must have independent practical labs that can accommodate the sanctioned student strength
Must have adequate faculty expertise in each science department
Basic infrastructure required: LCD/projector, computers with internet, functional labs and library
Colleges that lost support in a prior cycle can re-apply only after a 2-year cooling period

How to Apply

Online

Step 1: The applications are invited online via Epromis Portal (please refer to the advertisement). Step 2: The duly signed and stamped hardcopy version of the proposal submitted via EproMIS may be sent to: Dr. Garima Gupta Scientist ‘E’ Star College Scheme, HRD Division, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Block- 3, 5th Floor, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003

Mode of Selection

Applications will be invited through advertisement on the DBT website, direct correspondence with potential colleges, nominations by vice-chancellors, etc. in a specified format.
Consideration will be given to regional requirements, women's colleges, autonomous colleges, etc. Applications will be screened by the task Force and a site visit, if required, will be undertaken to arrive at the final decision. The decision of the Task Force will be final.

Parameters to Measure Success

The DBT will measure the progress of star colleges by following parameters:

Substantial increase in the proportion of 'hands-on' experimental work by students.
Increased access of undergraduate students to laboratory and bioinformatics
infrastructure.
Improvement in access to sciences-related journals.
Summer schools.
Percentage of students pursuing PG science education.
Measure effectiveness on the basis of feedback from students, faculty, and employers of students.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Is The Call For DBT Star College Scheme Announced?

The call for the DBT-Star College scheme for both Urban and Rural categories is announced annually and is advertised on the DBT website.

What Are The ‘Urban’ And ‘Rural’ Categories Of Colleges?

DBT is focused on the equitable percolation of benefits of the Star College Scheme throughout the country and is committed to ensuring that geographical location and access to means of communication and technology should not be a deterrent for securing this highly competitive grant. Therefore, since 2018-19 Colleges have been categorized into Urban and Rural categories based on the physical location of the college. Colleges applying under the Rural category should mandatorily attach a certificate (with the application) from competent authority (local administration and not the Principal of the College) either in Hindi or English stating that the college is located in a Rural area, failing which applications shall not be considered further.

Can A College Request Addition Of New Departments During The Ongoing Tenure Of Support?

Colleges requesting the addition of new departments should first complete one cycle of support i.e. 3 years with the departments that the grant was recommended for.

Who Can Be A Coordinator For A Star College Scheme?

The Star College Scheme encourages young and energetic faculty of a College to assume greater responsibilities besides their routine roles and functions. A Coordinator should be active, engage in networking with other Departments seeking support under the DBT-Star College Scheme, and should be involved with the overall functioning of the scheme in respective Colleges. The Coordinator for the Star College Scheme shall be responsible for the coordination between the Colleges and DBT; thus the change of coordinator shall not be entertained during the entire duration of the support unless there is some personal issue due to which the coordinator is not available, for the duration of more than six months at a stretch.

Is There Any Guidance Provided By DBT During The Tenure Of Support?

For any assistance, recipients of the DBT-Star College grant / Co-ordinators may contact: Adviser: Dr. Anamika Gambhir, Sc. F, Division Head, Human Resource Development / Infrastructure and Women Programme Tel: 011-24363665 Email: anamika@dbt.nic.in Programme Officer: Dr. Garima Gupta, Sc. E, Department of Biotechnology, Room No. 510, 5th Floor, Block 3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003 Tel: 011-24369385 Email: garima.g@nic.in Attached Officer: Dr. Abhishek Kumar Mehta, Sc. C, of Biotechnology, Room No. 534, 5th Floor, Block 3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003 Tel: 011-24360295 Email: ak.mehta@dbt.nic.in

Is There A Mechanism For Mentoring Colleges Aspiring For Support Under The DBT Star College Scheme?

Each College supported under the DBT-Star College scheme is envisaged to promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and a separate fund is provided for mentoring activities. A College aspiring to apply for a Star College grant may get in touch with the neighboring Star College. A list of Colleges supported under the DBT-Star College The scheme with contact details of the coordinators is provided below. Additionally, DBT also conducts workshops and outreach activities periodically throughout the country. Details are provided on the Twitter handle of DBT.

What Are The Objectives Of This Scheme?

The following are the objectives of this scheme:

To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training.
To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process to stimulate original thinking through 'hands-on' exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools.
To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and other laboratories.
To conduct specialized training programs for faculty improvement for optimizing technical capabilities.
To increase the capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading of existing facilities.
To provide access and exposure to students to research laboratories and industries in the country.
To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) / kits for practicals.

What Benefits Do The Students Have In This Scheme?

For Students, there are the following benefits: Student training via the introduction of practicals, prescribed in the curriculum.Introduction of conceptual clarity via engaging students in minor projects, either singly or in groups of students not exceeding 4 in number. Inclusion of techniques for 'hands-on' training to strengthen concepts taught otherwise via theoretical approach. Summer training preferably via engaging students in research projects. Visits to neighboring industries, research institutions, or places of academic value. Use of IT in classroom, laboratory, and library activities. Organizing lectures by eminent scientists, and career counseling lectures specifically for creating awareness among students about their future career options in science.

What Benefits Do The Faculties Have In This Scheme?

For Faculties, there are the following benefits: Faculty improvement program. Participation in summer courses for skill upgradation to be able to train students. Curriculum change to ensure more, 'hands-on' laboratory work.Greater emphasis on communicating research and research process to students. Introduce an internal review process by students regarding the implementation of various activities under the Star College Scheme. Feedback from students regarding the competence of faculty, adequacy of teaching/laboratory environment, and additional needs, if any.

Where Can I Find The State/UT Wise List Of Colleges Supported Through This Scheme?

The State/UT Wise List Of Colleges Supported through this Scheme can be found at this link - https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/uploadfiles/List%20of%20ongoing%20colleges%20supported%20under%20Star%20College%20Scheme.pdf

Where Can I Find The Link To The Scheme Terms & Conditions?

The Scheme Terms & Conditions can be found at this link - https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/Terms%20%26%20Conditions%20of%20Star%20College%20Scheme.pdf

Ready to apply?

Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.

Apply on myScheme.gov.in

Documents Required

A valid 2(f) & 12(b) Certificate
Applicants from Rural Areas must submit a Rural Area Certificate as per format.