The Union science and technology ministry has offered to fund researchers who can develop “protocols” from yoga and meditation to fight the new coronavirus, leaving sections of scientists, in the words of one, “completely mystified”.

The department of science and technology (DST) has called on scientists, doctors and practitioners of yoga and meditation “with a proven track record” in these fields to submit a “concept note” to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The purpose will be to develop protocols and modules of yoga and meditation “based on a strictly scientific approach” that might examine themes such as improving immunity, improving respiratory functions or addressing stress, anxiety or depression resulting from disruptions in normal life.

“The study needs to be scientifically designed, documented, open to scrutiny and employ scientific tools for validation or falsification,” the DST said, offering up to Rs 15 lakh to support short-term projects to combat or mitigate the effects of the coronavirus.

The budget will be drawn from the DST’s Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (Satyam) programme, launched in 2015. Eligible aspirants for the funding would need to apply to the DST’s Satyam division by April 30.

Several scientists said they were surprised to see the call for such proposals at a time the country was scrambling to respond to the coronavirus threat.

“Are they going to assess yoga or meditation in coronavirus patients? Is this even a rational thought to come to one’s mind at this stage?” said a senior physicist from an academic institution who requested anonymity.

A hard science assessment of the effects of the various protocols on respiratory health or infections would require measurements of physiological and biochemical parameters in a large number of human subjects and will not be possible within a few months, the physicist said.