The call for the DBT-Star College scheme for both Urban and Rural categories is announced annually and is advertised on the DBT website.

DBT is focused on the equitable percolation of benefits of the Star College Scheme throughout the country and is committed to ensuring that geographical location and access to means of communication and technology should not be a deterrent for securing this highly competitive grant. Therefore, since 2018-19 Colleges have been categorized into Urban and Rural categories based on the physical location of the college. Colleges applying under the Rural category should mandatorily attach a certificate (with the application) from competent authority (local administration and not the Principal of the College) either in Hindi or English stating that the college is located in a Rural area, failing which applications shall not be considered further.

Colleges requesting the addition of new departments should first complete one cycle of support i.e. 3 years with the departments that the grant was recommended for.

The Star College Scheme encourages young and energetic faculty of a College to assume greater responsibilities besides their routine roles and functions. A Coordinator should be active, engage in networking with other Departments seeking support under the DBT-Star College Scheme, and should be involved with the overall functioning of the scheme in respective Colleges. The Coordinator for the Star College Scheme shall be responsible for the coordination between the Colleges and DBT; thus the change of coordinator shall not be entertained during the entire duration of the support unless there is some personal issue due to which the coordinator is not available, for the duration of more than six months at a stretch.

For any assistance, recipients of the DBT-Star College grant / Co-ordinators may contact: Adviser: Dr. Anamika Gambhir, Sc. F, Division Head, Human Resource Development / Infrastructure and Women Programme Tel: 011-24363665 Email: anamika@dbt.nic.in Programme Officer: Dr. Garima Gupta, Sc. E, Department of Biotechnology, Room No. 510, 5th Floor, Block 3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003 Tel: 011-24369385 Email: garima.g@nic.in Attached Officer: Dr. Abhishek Kumar Mehta, Sc. C, of Biotechnology, Room No. 534, 5th Floor, Block 3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003 Tel: 011-24360295 Email: ak.mehta@dbt.nic.in

Each College supported under the DBT-Star College scheme is envisaged to promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and a separate fund is provided for mentoring activities. A College aspiring to apply for a Star College grant may get in touch with the neighboring Star College. A list of Colleges supported under the DBT-Star College The scheme with contact details of the coordinators is provided below. Additionally, DBT also conducts workshops and outreach activities periodically throughout the country. Details are provided on the Twitter handle of DBT.

The following are the objectives of this scheme: 1. To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training. 2. To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process to stimulate original thinking through ‘hands–on’ exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools. 3. To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and other laboratories. 4. To conduct specialized training programs for faculty improvement for optimizing technical capabilities. 5. To increase the capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading of existing facilities. 6. To provide access and exposure to students to research laboratories and industries in the country. 7. To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) / kits for practicals.

For Students, there are the following benefits: Student training via the introduction of practicals, prescribed in the curriculum.Introduction of conceptual clarity via engaging students in minor projects, either singly or in groups of students not exceeding 4 in number. Inclusion of techniques for 'hands-on' training to strengthen concepts taught otherwise via theoretical approach. Summer training preferably via engaging students in research projects. Visits to neighboring industries, research institutions, or places of academic value. Use of IT in classroom, laboratory, and library activities. Organizing lectures by eminent scientists, and career counseling lectures specifically for creating awareness among students about their future career options in science.

For Faculties, there are the following benefits: Faculty improvement program. Participation in summer courses for skill upgradation to be able to train students. Curriculum change to ensure more, 'hands-on' laboratory work.Greater emphasis on communicating research and research process to students. Introduce an internal review process by students regarding the implementation of various activities under the Star College Scheme. Feedback from students regarding the competence of faculty, adequacy of teaching/laboratory environment, and additional needs, if any.

The State/UT Wise List Of Colleges Supported through this Scheme can be found at this link - https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/uploadfiles/List%20of%20ongoing%20colleges%20supported%20under%20Star%20College%20Scheme.pdf

The Scheme Terms & Conditions can be found at this link - https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/Terms%20%26%20Conditions%20of%20Star%20College%20Scheme.pdf