What do leading scientists make of the R&D Budget in Modi’s third term?

Sub: Sci

Sec: Schemes

Context:

There have been concerns about the sidelining of basic research and stagnation in research funding as a percentage of the GDP.

More on the news?

Continuing with the focus on ‘Viksit Bharat’ like last year, this year’s Union Budget also spurs research and development in important areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, critical minerals, miniature and modular nuclear energy technology, energy-efficient technologies.

What are the priority areas in the budget 2024-25?

The budget prioritizes nine areas including agriculture, employment, human resource development, manufacturing, services, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, research & development, and next-generation reforms.

Key highlights of budgets in science:

Setting up of the Anusandhan National Research Fund (ANRF):

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established with Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act 2023.
The ANRF will provide high-level strategic direction for scientific research, ensuring collaborations between industry, academia, government departments, and research institutions.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, outlines an estimated cost of ₹50,000 crore for the period 2023-2028 to support and promote R&D activities.

Private Sector-Driven Research and Innovation:

To spur private sector-driven research and innovation at a commercial scale a financing pool of ₹1 lakh crore will be established to support these initiatives.

Expanding the Space Economy:

To expand India’s space economy fivefold in the next decade a venture capital fund of ₹1,000 crore will be set up to support startups and projects in the space sector.
This initiative aims to create a vibrant space economy, contributing to technological advancements and economic growth.

Transforming Agriculture Research:

To boost agricultural productivity and create climate-resilient crops, a thorough review of the agricultural research system will be conducted.
Additionally, 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties across 32 field and horticulture crops will be introduced for cultivation.

Research and Development of Small and Modular Nuclear Reactors:

Small and modular nuclear reactors offer advantages such as lower costs, enhanced safety, and scalability.
To integrate nuclear energy as a significant part of India’s energy mix for Viksit Bharat the government will partner with the private sector to-
- Set up Bharat Small Reactors.
- Conduct R&D for Bharat Small Modular Reactors.
- Develop newer technologies for nuclear energy.