Prime Minister recently chaired the inaugural governing board meeting of the newly established Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
Key Initiatives announced:
- Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR): Connect nascent research institutions with established universities for mentorship in a hub-and-spoke model.
- Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA): Support research in critical areas such as Electric Vehicle (EV) mobility, Advanced Materials, Solar Cells, and Health & Medical Technology.
- ANRF Centre of Excellence (ACE): Establish world-class research centers with significant funding support.
About Anusandhan National Research Foundation:
- It as an apex body to provide high-level direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
- Objective: To seed, grow, and promote research and innovation across India’s universities, colleges, and research institutions as per NEP guidelines.
- Establishment: Formed under the ANRF Act 2023, subsumes the erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board.
- Funding: ₹50,000 crore for 2023-2028 (₹14,000 crore from the Centre, ₹36,000 crore from private sources).
- Administrative Department: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Governance Structure:
- Governing Board:
- Ex-officio President: Prime Minister
- Ex-officio Vice-Presidents: Union Minister of Science and Technology, Union Minister of Education
- Executive Council: Chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Issues in India’s Research Ecosystem addressed by ANRF:
- Limited Research Engagement: Research activities are confined to a few higher education institutions.
- Concentration of Research: Scientific research is mainly concentrated in specialized institutions like IISC, TIFR, and IITs, unlike in many other countries where universities serve as research hubs.
- Duplication and Inefficiency: Separate R&D programs managed by various ministries often lead to duplication and inefficiency.
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?
ANRF is an apex body formed to provide high-level direction for scientific research across Indian universities and institutions
What is the objective of ANRF?
The objective of ANRF is to seed, grow, and promote research and innovation across India’s educational and research institutions.
What is the PAIR initiative under ANRF?
PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research) connects new research institutions with established universities for mentorship in a hub-and-spoke model.
How much funding is allocated to ANRF for 2023-2028?
₹50,000 crore has been allocated, with ₹14,000 crore from the Centre and ₹36,000 crore from private sources.
What are some critical areas supported by ANRF’s MAHA initiative?
The MAHA initiative supports research in Electric Vehicle (EV) mobility, Advanced Materials, Solar Cells, and Health & Medical Technology.