Cabinet clears NRF Bill to offer strategic direction to research

Subject : Polity

Section: Legislation in news

Concept :

The Union Cabinet has granted its approval for the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, aiming to establish the NRF as the apex body for scientific research in India.
This move comes in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP). With this, it is expected to provide strategic direction to scientific endeavours in the country.

National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023

The NRF Bill has been approved by the Union Cabinet, setting the stage for the establishment of the NRF as the apex body for scientific research in India.
The NRF will play a crucial role in providing high-level strategic direction and coordinating scientific research efforts across the country.
The NRF will operate under the administrative oversight of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The bill is intended to ensure equitable funding and participation.

Governance Structure:

Board: The NRF will be governed by a board of eminent researchers and professionals from various scientific fields. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio president. Union Ministers of Science and Technology and Education will serve as ex-officio vice presidents.
Executive council: The executive council will oversee the operations and decision-making process of the NRF. It will be chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Supercede the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB): The NRF Bill will replace the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which was established by Parliament in 2008, and subsume it into the NRF.
Consolidation of funding and coordination under a unified framework: The NRF will rectify existing disparities in research funding distribution, with a particular focus on ensuring equitable support for state universities and institutions beyond the prestigious IITs and IISc.
The NRF Bill seeks to promote private sector involvement and investment in scientific research.
The NRF will prioritize funding based on research needs and priorities, as determined by the executive council.
Funding: As per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), NRF will be established at a total estimated cost of ₹50,000 crore from 2023-28.
The government has committed to contribute Rs.10,000 crore over a span of five years.
Close to Rs. 36000 crore is expected to be received through private contributions.