Q. The Union Government has launched VAJRA scheme to attract Indian scientists abroad. What does "VAJRA" stands for?
Answer: Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty
Notes: Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister of Science and Technology, has launched the Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty (VAJRA) scheme in New Delhi to bring together the Indian scientists abroad and India-based researchers for conducting joint researches in India. Under this scheme, scientists or senior researchers abroad - of Indian origin or otherwise - can collaborate with faculties in India and would receive endowments at par with those in their own countries. The endowments for faculties would be US $15,000 in the first month of residency and US $10,000, for the remaining month. As per the scheme, the broad areas of research like energy, health, advance material and others would be promoted.
