The ANRF plan has got off on the wrong foot

The ANRF plan has got off on the wrong foot

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Msc

Context:

• In 2023, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament to enhance research in India’s universities and colleges.

ANRF Act 2023:

• It seeks to regulate all research and development in the fields of natural sciences establishments in India.
• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008 has been subsumed into ANRF.
• The 2019 National Research Foundation (NRF) project report explicitly mentioned that “growing outstanding research cells already existing at State Universities” is one of the ANRF’s top priorities.
• The intended aim of ANRF: Space for Indian academia for research free from the bureaucracy, funding boost and a chance to work together with industry partners.
• Structure:
  • 15-member Governing Board
  • 16-member Executive Council

Implementation Issues:

• The board and the executive council do not have any members from Central or State universities or colleges.
  • In addition to the Principal Scientific Adviser, they are represented by people who are usually in any high-powered committees of the Government of India.
  • The sole woman representative is the Secretary of the DSIR.
• The board and the council need representatives who understand the bottlenecks in the current system.
•  Lack of adequate industry representation.
• ANRF plans to raise more than 70% of its funding from non-government sources and industry.
• There is no representation from the Indian industry or entrepreneurs from the country or eminent academics from the Central and State universities on the committee.

R&D Funding and System Overhaul:

• Current Funding Status:
  • India underfunds research and development.
  • Suggestion to increase R&D budget to 4% of GDP.

National Research Foundation NRF):

• In 2005, the Science Advisory Council to the Prime Minister recommended the formation of a National Science and Engineering Research Foundation. It was approved by the then PM Manmohan Singh. In 2008, it was renamed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
• The National Research Foundation (NRF), an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country in accordance with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), will be established at a cost of 50,000 crore over the period 2023-28.
• Goals: To increase private sector contributions to research in India and to ensure that a larger portion of government funds go to state universities and colleges.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be NRF’s administrative department.

Organisational Structure of the National Research Foundation:

Source: TH