Government of India
Ministry of Earth Sciences,
Prithvi Bhavan,IMD Campus, Opp. India Habitat Centre,Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003
Recognizing the important role the academic institutions can play in promotion of front-ranking research in earth system science and related human resources development, a need was felt to associate effectively the vast human resources and infrastructure available in the academic institutions of our country for exploration and sustained exploitation of the vast marine living and non-living resources of our country for the socio economic benefit and development of the nation. Towards this, Department of Ocean Development established Ocean Science & Technology Cells (OSTC) in selected universities and academic institutions with focus on identified themes during the IX five year plan with the following objectives
With the constitution of Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2006 integrating the atmospheric and oceanic related activities, the OSTC were renamed as Ocean Atmospheric Science & Technology Cells (OASTCs). For addressing basic issues and processes leading to fundamental understanding of earth system and enhancing our capability in development of appropriate technology, there is a need to develop research and development proposals covering different disciplines of Earth System Science and Technology. In view of this OASTC have been renamed as Earth Science and Technology Cells (ESTC) in the XII plan. Presently the Ministry has established nine ESTC in different academic institutes of the country for conducting research in different specialized areas of marine and atmospheric sciences.
The progress and activities of each ESTC is monitored by a Management Board (MB)constituted by the Ministry. The MB is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University/ Director of the institute where the ESTC is located. The Research Coordinator (RC) of the ESTC, a senior professor of the University, is the Member Secretary of the MB. The MB periodically meets to review the progress of the projects/activities of the cell and provides direction for day to day activities of the centre
Proposals as per the relevant theme should be sent to the RC of the concerned ESTC for consideration in the network project as per the prescribed format.
Recognizing the potential of the ESTC to contribute to the national development programs of MoES, an integrated approach in evolving the programs of ESTC has been formulated. Under this, a science plan will be put into place by the ESTC in consultation with the MB. The individual roles of the MB and RC are as given in the Office Memo. Each ESTC shall invite proposals around the identified theme and the science plan and develop them into network projects as per the prescribed format. These integrated projects will be reviewed by the MB and recommended to the Ministry for consideration for funding by the concerned ESTC.
All projects related to the relevant theme should be submitted to the concerned ESTC only.
Ten hard copies of the network proposals along with necessary certificates/declarations may be submitted at the following address. In addition, a soft copy indicating "Network project---ESTC (name)" is required to be sent to the email address.
Office of Program Head (Atmospheric Sciences)
Prithvi Bhavan,IMD Campus, Opp. India Habitat Centre Lodhi Road,
New Delhi 110003, India Ph: 91-11-24669514: FAX: 91-11-24669577
E mail rdeas@moes.gov.in
A forwarding letter from the Chairman of the Management Board and certificate from the Research Coordinator as per prescribed format should also accompany the network proposal
Proposals for establishment of new ESTC should be submitted as per prescribed format and should be accompanied by an appropriate science plan and the network project as above.