First Meeting of ANRF Governing Board

Source: This post on PM Modi Convenes First Meeting of ANRF Governing Board has been created based on the article “PM Modi convenes first meeting of National Research Fund board”, published in The Hindu on 11^th Sep 2024.

What is the news?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the first meeting of the Governing Board of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in New Delhi recently. The meeting marked a significant step towards shaping India’s research and development (R&D) landscape.

PM Modi Convenes First Meeting of ANRF Governing Board

1. PM Modi highlighted the need for identifying and eliminating obstacles in India’s research ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of setting ambitious goals and conducting path-breaking research to solve existing problems.

2. The board discussed launching a mentorship programme using a “hub and spoke” model. In this model, universities with nascent research capabilities will be paired with top-tier institutions to receive guidance and mentorship.

3. Strategic Focus Areas: The Governing Board deliberated on key strategic interventions, including:

i) Enhancing India’s global positioning in key sectors.

ii)  Aligning research and development (R&D) with national priorities.

iii) Promoting inclusive growth and capacity building.

iv) Advancing scientific research and fostering innovation ecosystems.

v) Bridging the gap between academic research and industry through translational research.

About Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

1. About: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) 2023 Act.

The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008, has been subsumed into ANRF with its establishment.

2. Mission: ANRF’s mission is;
a. to seed, grow, and promote research and development (R&D), and
b. to foster a culture of research and innovation across India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

3. Aim: It aims to provide increased support to state universities and foster private sector participation in funding research and development (R&D).

4. Functions:

i) ANRF will serve as an apex body, providing high-level strategic direction for scientific research in India, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) recommendations.

ii) ANRF will focus on forging collaborations among industry, academia, government departments, and research institutions.

iii) It creates an interface mechanism for the participation and contribution of industries, State governments, and scientific and line ministries.

5. Funding Structure: ANRF seeks to establish a ₹50,000 crore corpus, with ₹36,000 crore expected to come from non-government sources. For the current financial year, ₹2,000 crore has been allocated to ANRF in the Union Budget.

UPSC Syllabus: Governance