Description

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Context

Aimed at encouraging Indian scientists to come up with innovative ideas for finding solutions to difficult health problems, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced a new initiative called “First in the World Challenge”.

About ICMR

It is India’s top organization for guiding, coordinating, and promoting medical research. It is one of the oldest and largest medical research organizations in the world.

Funding and Structure

ICMR is funded by the Government of India, specifically through the Department of Health Research in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In 2007, it set up the Clinical Trials Registry of India to keep track of clinical trials across the country.

Research Focus

ICMR operates 26 national institutes that conduct research on a range of health topics, such as:

Infectious diseases: tuberculosis, leprosy, and AIDS
Vector-borne diseases: malaria and kala-azar
Nutrition, toxicology, and oncology: studies on food, drugs, cancer, etc.

Additionally, it has 6 regional research centers focused on health issues specific to different parts of the country.

ICMR’s research aligns with national health priorities like managing infectious diseases, improving maternal and child health, controlling nutritional disorders, and researching non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and mental health.

History

ICMR was originally called the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) when it was founded in 1911. After India gained independence, it was restructured and renamed as the Indian Council of Medical Research in 1949.

Governance

ICMR is overseen by a Governing Body which is led by the Union Health Minister. An Advisory Board which is made up of scientific experts helps guide its work, alongside several committees that review and monitor various research projects.

About First in the World Challenge

Section	Details
*Background*	The research grant is inspired by Chandrayaan 3's successful landing on the moon's south pole.
*Purpose*	It aims to inspire scientists to develop solutions for complex health issues through innovative ideas. It supports novel, high-impact biomedical and technological innovations for global health improvement. It excludes projects aiming for incremental knowledge or process innovation.
*Funding Norms*	Investigator to decide on budgetary heads. Funding will be released upon submission of necessary documents.
*Funding Stages*	Proof of Concept: Conceptual projects to design proof of concept (Up to ₹1 Cr; max. 2 years) Prototype Development: Projects to develop product prototypes (Up to ₹4 Cr; max. 4 years) Final Product/Model Development: Projects to develop final product/implementation model (Up to ₹8 Cr; max. 4 years)
*Project Flexibility*	Principal Investigator can submit proposals at any stage, with flexible duration limits and funding caps. He can submit results anytime within the project duration and request funding for the next stage; ICMR will review results and decide on further funding.
*Eligibility*	Individuals: Scientists/Faculty at Govt. medical colleges, INIs, ICMR institutes, universities, R&D labs, and NGOs registered under UGC, AICTE, NMC (No DSIR certificate needed). Other Private Institutions/NGOs: Registered with DSIR (Govt. of India) and on NITI Aayog’s NGO DARPAN portal. Startups/MSMEs/Industry: Eligible to apply. NRI/OCI/PIO Holders: Eligible as per DHR-ICMR norms. Team Submissions are also allowed.

Sources:

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements in reference to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

The ICMR functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
ICMR’s main mandate is to promote biomedical and health research in India.
ICMR was the key institution responsible for the National COVID-19 testing and vaccine rollout strategy in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect.

ICMR functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (not the Ministry of Science and Technology). It is the apex body in India for formulating, coordinating, and promoting biomedical research.

Statement 2 is correct.

ICMR’s primary mandate is indeed to promote and conduct biomedical and health research to improve the health standards of the Indian population. It leads research in various fields such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, nutrition, reproductive health, and healthcare technology.

Statement 3 is correct.

ICMR played an important role during COVID-19 in shaping India's COVID-19 response, including testing strategies, diagnostics, & overseeing vaccine trials & rollout in collaboration with various partners.