An unprecedented growth in the field of Science has resulted in break through developments. It continues to offer enormous potential for revolutionizing every aspect of human life. To harness this potential, it is important to create awareness at an early stage by imparting good science education at school level with creation of suitable platform to access modern laboratory. 

Recognizing this need, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, has initiated a scheme for establishing ​“Basic Science Labs in Senior Secondary schools (BLiSS)” across the North Eastern States of India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura & Sikkim).

The DBT invites proposals from eligible Senior/​Higher Secondary Schools of the North Eastern States of India offering courses in Science subjects for considering the establishment of Basic Science Labs under a special program ​“BLiSS in the North Eastern States”. The broad objective of the program is to promote education in Basic Science at Senior/​Higher Secondary level and to attract brilliant students to the multidisciplinary research areas. The science lab will be a common lab for all science subjects, which includes Biology/​Biotechnology, Chemistry and Physics.

Under this programme DBT proposes to provide the following facilities to each Lab:-

• Science lab with basic set of equipments, as given on guidelines for BLiSS program.
• Computers with Internet connectivity
• Power backup system (Solar panels/​UPS/​Generator)
• Recurring budget for procurement of chemicals, glassware and for maintenance of Internet connectivity
• Support for Trainings/​Workshops including travel cost of experts/​faculty members.
• Travel support for attending short term trainings within India
• (The nearest Institutional or State Level Biotech hubs established by DBT may provide requisite mentoring and monitoring).

Depending on the status and potential, the Schools will be categorized as I, II, or III as described in the Guidelines and determined by an Expert Committee for the establishment of BLiSS. Each Lab will be looked after by a Coordinator and two Co-Coordinators (three subject-teacher teaching three different science subjects at the +2 level) to be nominated by the host institute and guided by a small committee constituted as per guidelines framed by DBT. The host institution shall have to provide necessary space and administrative support.

Govt./Govt.-aided/provincialized/Private Senior/​Higher Secondary Schools will be considered for the present call. Private schools shall be considered based on science education, number of regular science teachers, status of their science labs, fee structure, infrastructure, source of other income, etc. Also, government recognition of the schools needs to be enclosed. Proof of necessary documents is to be submitted along with the application.

Only one application from a school will be considered.

Interested Schools may submit two copies of their proposals in the prescribed format available at http://​www​.btis​net​.gov​.in/​n​e​r​/​n​e​r​b​l​i​s​s.htm, which is to be duly endorsed and forwarded by the respective Heads of the Institutions, should reach Dr. T. Madhan Mohan, Adviser, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), NER-BPMC, A‑258, 1^st Floor, S.B. house, Defence Colony, New Delhi-110 024 latest by 25^th August, 2017. A soft copy of the proposal is also required to be sent to nerbpmc@​dbt.​nic.​in