Govt. considering raising retirement age for scientists under Mo Science & Technology & Earth Sc.

The Union Government is considering raising the retirement age for scientists in Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) labs and other institutions under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences to 65. The present retirement age is 60.

The proposed increase would be on par with university teachers and other national institutions of the Ministry of Human Resources Development. Talking to The Hindu in connection with the National Science Day being observed on February 28, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Y.S. Chowdhary, said discussions in this regard were underway. He said the Ministry would be re-oriented to ensure that the outcomes of research benefit the people. “We definitely have mega plans.”

He said the idea behind re-orientation was also meant to facilitate “ease of doing research”. Reforms with focus on transparency would be introduced so that an ambience could be created for scientists to thrive.

Agreeing for the need to increase spending on R&D, which was currently just 0.8 per cent of the GDP, he said a blueprint was being prepared in this regard. Funds could be sourced through international bonds, Central and State governments, he said.