Q. With reference to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), consider the following statements:
1. It is designed as a funding body to stimulate science and engineering research in India.
2. ANRF intend to address the current gaps in the Indian research landscape by offering grants and scholarships to school-level students.
3. The Prime Minister of India chairs the Governing Board of the ANRF.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The ANRF is established as a funding body to promote and support research and development (R&D) in science and engineering across India’s universities, colleges, and research institutions. It aims to provide strategic direction and financial support to foster a culture of research and innovation. It aims to establish a ₹50,000 crore corpus, with a significant portion coming from non-government sources, including private industry. The Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio President of the Governing Board of the ANRF, providing strategic leadership and direction to the foundation. The Board has decided to implement a “hub and spoke” model, pairing universities with nascent research capabilities with top-tier institutions for mentorship.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The ANRF focuses on promoting research and development at the university and institutional levels rather than offering grants and scholarships specifically to school-level students. Its primary aim is to enhance research capabilities in higher education and research institutions.
Source: The Hindu
