NEW DELHI: Union minister for education, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Research Internship Programme in Social and Human Sciences on Thursday.
Highlighting the significance of social science research in shaping societies, the Minister distributed appointment letters to 40 selected interns and awarded prizes to winners of the National Argumentative Essay Writing Competition on “Simultaneous Elections in India: One Nation, One Election.”
The event, attended by ICSSR dignitaries, academicians, and scholars, marked a pivotal step toward fostering research that aligns with India’s vision of “Viksit Bharat.” Pradhan underscored the internship’s potential to equip postgraduate students with skills essential for policy research, data analysis, and social innovation.
Pradhan said: “Robust social science research strengthens the civilizational ethos of Bharatiyata and prepares us to embrace technological disruptions while driving economic and social progress.”
He further linked the initiative to the National Education Policy 2020, which prioritizes internships as a means to enhance employability and academic excellence under the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
The ICSSR Research Internship Programme is multidisciplinary, with interns representing diverse domains such as Sociology, Public Health, Development Studies, and International Relations. Selected from over 3,600 applicants, the 40 interns will engage in hands-on research focusing on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contextualized within India’s G20 Presidency vision.
Pradhan also highlighted the integration of modern research skills with traditional knowledge systems, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on “Anusandhan” as a cornerstone for national development. The programme aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world applicability, empowering young researchers to contribute meaningfully to India’s progress.
The ICSSR initiative is expected to foster innovative ideas and equip the next generation of social scientists with the tools to address contemporary challenges, ensuring Bharat’s ancient civilization thrives in harmony with modernity.
