CSIR celebrates women researchers through ASPIRE-SHAKTI initiative

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) organised ASPIRE-SHAKTI, titled “Celebrating Women in STEM & Initiating Project Review Sessions”, on 13 July 2026 at CSIR Headquarters, Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was held through the CSIR Human Resource Development Group (CSIR-HRDG), and Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General of CSIR, presided over the function.

CSIR-ASPIRE Research Scheme

The CSIR-ASPIRE Research Scheme is a dedicated programme for women researchers under CSIR-HRDG. It was envisioned by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science & Technology, and launched on International Women’s Day in 2023. The scheme provides competitive funding to women scientists as independent Principal Investigators. It is linked with project review sessions and a compendium of research outcomes under the ASPIRE-SHAKTI initiative.

Project selection and disciplinary spread

Since its launch, the scheme has received 2,878 project proposals from 969 institutions across India. CSIR selected and funded 301 women researchers as independent Principal Investigators, which is about a 10% selection ratio.

• Life Sciences accounted for 152 funded projects.
• Engineering Sciences accounted for 54 funded projects.
• Inter/Transdisciplinary Sciences accounted for 37 funded projects.
• Chemical Sciences accounted for 34 funded projects.
• Physical Sciences accounted for 25 funded projects.

Research outputs and next phase

The scheme has produced more than 253 publications in SCI-indexed journals. It has also generated over 15 patent applications and more than 20 presentations at international conferences. More than 300 Junior Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows and Research Associates have been trained under the scheme. The next phase includes identifying 20 to 30 outstanding ASPIRE projects for further support, commercialisation, and linkage with startups and innovation partners.

Important Facts for Exams

• CSIR stands for Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, and it functions under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
• CSIR-HRDG is the Human Resource Development Group of CSIR.
• International Women’s Day is observed on 8 March every year.
• Principal Investigator is the lead researcher responsible for a project.

Regional participation

CSIR noted comparatively low participation from the North-East region and Ladakh in the scheme. It also called for wider outreach to universities and colleges in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.