Star College Scheme for Strengthening of Science Education and Training at Undergraduate Level

What is the Star College Scheme?

The Star College Scheme for Strengthening of Science Education and Training at Undergraduate Level is a programme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science and Technology. According to DBT, the scheme is designed to improve critical thinking and hands-on experimental work at the undergraduate (college) level in the sciences, so that more students take up higher education and research in science.

DBT identifies colleges with the ambition and potential for excellence and supports them with academic and physical infrastructure. The Star College Scheme is a pan-India scheme that envisages a Star College in every district of the country. DBT has supported over 200 undergraduate colleges across the country, and beyond funding, colleges gain from mentoring, Advisory Committee meetings, Task Force meetings and peer learning.

This is an institutional grant to colleges, not a scholarship for students. Students benefit indirectly through better laboratories, more practicals, minor research projects and faculty training.

How much does the Star College Scheme provide?

According to the scheme details, a selected college receives:

• A one-time, non-recurring grant of Rs 10 lakh per science department.
• A recurring grant of Rs 3 lakh per science department per year for three years, subject to a satisfactory annual review.
• Rs 1 lakh per year under a contingency head.
• Mentoring and monitoring grants of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh per college.

The scheme encourages purchase of multiple copies of routine equipment for undergraduate science practicals within a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh; equipment costing more than Rs 1 lakh and up to Rs 3 lakh requires prior approval of DBT.

The funds are used for student training (practicals, minor projects for groups of up to four students, summer research, industry and lab visits, IT in classrooms and libraries, and lectures by eminent scientists) and for faculty (faculty improvement programmes, summer skill-upgradation courses, curriculum change toward hands-on lab work, and internal review by students).

Who is eligible for the Star College Scheme?

A college can apply if:

• It is a Government or Government-aided college, autonomous colleges included, recognised under Section 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act 1956.
• It offers a minimum of 4–5 undergraduate courses in basic science (such as botany, zoology, applied life science, microbiology, physiology/biochemistry, biotechnology) and 1–2 applied or PG diploma courses.
• It has adequate in-house faculty in each science department.
• It has independent laboratories for practicals and lecture rooms sized for the sanctioned student strength.
• It has basic laboratory and library facilities, LCD/overhead projection, and computers with internet access.

Who cannot apply:

• Individual students cannot apply for a personal benefit — the grant goes to the college.
• Private unaided colleges without 2(f)/12(B) recognition do not meet the eligibility bar.
• A college discontinued after a round of support cannot re-apply until a cooling period of two years has passed.

A college not recommended earlier can re-apply with appropriate modifications. A college already supported can apply for an additional department only after completing one three-year cycle of ongoing support.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Star College Scheme

The Star College Scheme uses an online application through the DBT eProMIS portal, followed by a signed hard copy. There is no individual citizen application.

1. Watch for the call. Applications are invited through an advertisement on the DBT website. Vice-chancellors may also nominate colleges, and DBT corresponds directly with potential colleges.
2. Apply online on eProMIS. Submit the proposal in the prescribed format on the DBT eProMIS portal (refer to the advertisement for the exact link and format).
3. Send the signed hard copy. Post the duly signed and stamped hard copy of the eProMIS proposal 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.
4. Screening and site visit. The Task Force screens the applications, giving consideration to regional requirements, women's colleges and autonomous colleges; a site visit is undertaken if required, and the Task Force's decision is final.

How is progress measured?

DBT measures a Star College's progress through parameters such as a substantial increase in hands-on experimental work by students, greater student access to laboratory and bioinformatics infrastructure, improved access to science journals, summer schools, the percentage of students pursuing postgraduate science education, and feedback from students, faculty and employers. Supported colleges submit annual reviews, and the recurring grant continues only on satisfactory performance.

Help and where to apply

The scheme is administered by the HRD Division, Department of Biotechnology, and applications run through the DBT eProMIS portal advertised on the DBT website (dbtindia.gov.in). DBT has not published a dedicated toll-free helpline for the Star College Scheme; queries should be directed to the HRD Division at the New Delhi address above through the details in the current call for applications.