NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Source: Hindu
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Context
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established to provide strategic direction for scientific research in India.
- However, the recently published list of members on the Executive and Governing Boards of the ANRF indicates a significant lack of representation from Indian industry and state universities.
Details
Key Issues
Lack of Industry Representation:
- The ANRF Act of 2023 anticipated significant financial contributions from the private sector, estimating that ₹36,000 crore of its ₹50,000 crore five-year budget would come from non-government sources, including industry and philanthropists.
- Despite this, the current 15-member Governing Board includes only one industrialist, Romesh Wadhwani, an American billionaire of Indian origin.
- This limited representation contradicts the Act's intention to closely involve industry in research initiatives.
Absence of State Universities:
- State universities, identified as major beneficiaries of the ANRF, are also underrepresented.
- The only academic institutions represented are the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
- This exclusion is notable as state universities are critical for decentralizing research and fostering innovation across India.
Composition of the Governing Board:
- The Governing Board is chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Union Ministers of Science and Technology, and Education serving as Vice Presidents.
- Other members include Ajay Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser, and secretaries from various government departments.
- Notably, the board includes two American academics of Indian origin: Manjul Bhargava, a Professor at Princeton University, and Subra Suresh, a Professor at Large at Brown University and former head of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Impact and Concerns
- The limited involvement of industry and state universities might affect the ANRF's ability to effectively drive innovation and leverage private sector capabilities.
- This could hinder the foundation's goal of increasing R&D spending and fostering a collaborative research environment.
- Without robust industry participation, raising the anticipated ₹36,000 crore from non-government sources could be challenging, potentially impacting the overall budget and efficacy of the ANRF's initiatives.
About ANRF
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a key initiative by the Indian government, aimed at providing strategic direction for scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the country.
- It was established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, which was passed by the Indian Parliament and came into force on December 1, 2023.
- The Act aims to create a robust research ecosystem and open scientific research activities to the private sector, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- It repeals the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Act of 2008 and dissolves the SERB.
Objectives and Functions
The primary goals of the ANRF are:
- To provide high-level strategic direction for research across various fields including natural sciences, engineering, technology, environmental and earth sciences, health, agriculture, and the scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences.
- To enhance India's national research infrastructure and innovation potential.
- To increase private sector contributions to research and ensure equitable distribution of government funds to state universities and colleges.
The ANRF is tasked with:
- Preparing short, medium, and long-term research and development roadmaps.
- Funding competitive, peer-reviewed grant proposals.
- Facilitating the transformation of research into capital-intensive technologies.
- Conducting annual surveys of scientific research, outcomes, and spending.
- Encouraging private and public sector investments in research.
Organizational Structure
- The ANRF is governed by a Governing Board and an Executive Council.
- The Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio President of the Board, with the Union Minister of Science and Technology and the Union Minister of Education as Vice Presidents.
- The Executive Council is chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
- The Board includes secretaries from various government departments, industry representatives, and experts from diverse fields.
Strategic Importance
- The ANRF is set to operate with an estimated budget of ₹50,000 crore over five years (2023-2028), aiming to bridge the gap between public and private sector research and development efforts.
- This initiative is expected to significantly boost India's R&D spending, which has historically been low compared to global benchmarks.
- A significant portion of the funding is anticipated to come from the private sector, fostering greater industry involvement in research.
- The ANRF is seen as a transformative step towards making India a leader in scientific research and innovation by 2047.
Comparison between the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):
Feature/Aspect |
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) |
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) |
Establishment |
Established in 2008 under the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 |
Established in 2023 under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 |
Purpose |
Promote basic research in frontier areas of science and engineering |
Broader scope including science, engineering, IT, social sciences, humanities |
Funding Sources |
Primarily government funding |
Mix of government funding and significant contributions from industry, philanthropists, and international sources |
Governance |
Managed by a board of leading scientists and researchers |
Governed by a board including government ministers, top scientists, and representatives from academia and industry (limited representation currently) |
Key Objectives |
Focus on funding research projects, fellowships, and awards for scientific excellence |
Support and promote R&D across various disciplines with an emphasis on impact and practical applications |
Programmes and Schemes |
Includes schemes like SERB-SUPRA, SERB-POWER, VAJRA, and others focusing on specific research areas and diversity in research |
Expected to introduce new schemes to encourage interdisciplinary and translational research |
Industry Collaboration |
Limited direct collaboration with industry |
Strong emphasis on industry-led initiatives and partnerships with industrial stakeholders |
Impact Focus |
Primarily academic and theoretical advancements |
Tangible impact on society, focusing on quality and relevance of research |
Beneficiary Institutions |
Mainly centrally funded institutions and research organizations |
Includes a wider range of institutions, including state universities and private institutions |
Transition from SERB |
SERB's functions and responsibilities are being integrated into ANRF |
ANRF replaces SERB, aiming to enhance and expand the scope of research and innovation in India |
Sources:
PRACTICE QUESTION Q: The ANRF's current structure has raised concerns regarding its ability to fulfill its intended role of promoting broad-based, inclusive research and innovation in India. Comment. (150 Words) |