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Dr. Praveer Asthana

PSA Fellow

Since November 2020
pasthana@nic.in
+919910061740

Doctorate and Master’s degrees from University of Alberta, Canada in Theoretical Particle Physics.
M.Sc. (Honours School) and B.Sc. (Honours School) in Physics from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
After two brief teaching stints at BITS-Pilani and NERIST-Itanagar, joined the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as Senior Scientific Officer-Grade I in April 1989, became Adviser/Scientist-G in March 2005 and superannuated from DST in October 2020.
Headed Nano Mission, Mega Science Division, Autonomous Institutions Division and INSPIRE Programme Division in DST. Was Acting Director of Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bangalore for close to five years.
Handled physical sciences programmes for over 20 years, mega science programmes for over 30 years, Nano Mission for over 10 years and management of autonomous institutions for about 10 years.
Led the establishment of Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) as an autonomous body through an Act of Parliament.
Handled the final drafting of Science and Technology Policy-2003 and its adoption by the Government.
Led the promotion of India’s participation in international and national mega science projects such as LHC, FAIR, TMT, SKA, LIGO, INO, INGA, Elettra, PETRA-III etc. and formulation of Mega Science Programme as a separate activity in the 11th Plan Period.
Led the Nano Science and Technology activities right from scratch to India acquiring 3rd position in terms of scientific publications.
Led the launch and/or established the foundations of several flagship programmes like the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana, Science Olympiad Programmes, Women Scientists Scheme, Ramanna Fellowships, JC Bose and Ramanujan Fellowships etc.
Ushered in several important changes in the management of autonomous scientific institutions of DST including quantitative performance measurement and resource allocation based on that, updating recruitment rules for appointment of directors, establishment of large institutional research facilities including the 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope, standardization of performance reporting, resolution of several important legacy issues of some very old institutions, establishment of new institutions etc.
Promoted rich variety of programmes in physical sciences that included human resource development programmes, research facilities, centres of excellence, R&D institute-university collaborative programmes, formulation of periodic research roadmaps etc.