Department of Science and Technology recently released the Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) Guidelines.
What is the need to introduce SSR guidelines?
India has taken great strides in the advancement of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). However, there is an inadequate transfer of scientific knowledge to society. There is a need for greater integration of science and technology with society in today’s age. In this regard, the 104th session of the Indian Science Congress held in 2017 also stressed the need to introduce SSR guidelines.
SSR guidelines aim to ensure greater integration of S&T with society at all levels. SSR is based on the moral obligation of scientists to give back the benefits of science to society. Thus, SSR will be the convergence of scientific knowledge and social conscience.
The guidelines will bridge the following gaps: science-society (passing on the benefits of science to meet public needs), science-science (creating an atmosphere to share ideas), and society-science (working with the public to identify their needs and developing appropriate solutions).
Who are the stakeholders?
The SSR guidelines involve four categories of stakeholders:
- Beneficiaries (any community group or individuals),
- Implementers (educational and scientific institutions),
- Assessors (internal or external),
- Supporters (funds provided by government, individuals, or any other agencies).
Thus, SSR guidelines create an ecosystem with a two-way engagement between science and society.
What are the other highlights?
An Anchor Scientific Institution (ASI) will be identified in every district of India, which will map the issues faced by a society that requires immediate scientific solutions and establish links with the implementers of the area. A national digital portal will connect all the ASIs and State Science and Technology Council (SSTCs).
The knowledge institutions should prepare their SSR implementation plan. Every scientist in the country is expected to contribute at least 10 working days annually towards SSR activities for which there will be weightage in their annual performance evaluation.
