Table of Contents
Context: In 2023, both Houses of Parliament passed the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill
- Origin: Presented in the Lok Sabha on August 4, 2023.
- Repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.
- Dissolved the existing Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
- Established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) as the new entity.
- Aim: To increase private sector contributions to research in India.
- To ensure that a larger portion of government funds go to state universities and colleges.
- Administered by: Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- Functions of NRF:
- Develops short-term, medium-term, and long-term research roadmaps.
- Supports R&D growth and infrastructure in educational and research institutions.
- Allocates grants for research proposals.
- Facilitates the commercialization of research.
- Promotes international research collaborations.
- Attracts investments from both private and public sectors.
- Conducts annual surveys on research outcomes and expenditures.
- Funding Mechanisms: Funded through:
- Government grants and loans.
- Investment income.
- Funds from the Science and Engineering Research Fund established under the 2008 Act.
- Specific Funds established:
- NRF Fund for administrative costs.
- Innovation Fund for creative projects.
- Science and Engineering Research Fund for ongoing projects.
- Special purpose funds for specific projects or research.
- Governance Structure:
- Governed by a Board chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
- Vice Presidents include the Union Ministers of Science and Technology, and Education.
- Principal Scientific Advisor acts as the Member Secretary.
- Board members include Secretaries of various scientific departments.
- Board composition can be expanded to include up to five industry representatives, one social sciences and humanities expert, and up to six specialists in natural sciences, engineering, and technology.
- Executive Leadership: A Chief Executive Officer, with at least the rank of an Additional Secretary, may be appointed by the President of the Board.
- Executive Council Functions:
- Led by the Principal Scientific Advisor.
- Comprises secretaries from key government departments.
- Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing financial assistance applications.
- Setting regulations for financial aid applications and extensions.
- Managing the Foundation’s budget and accounts.
- Authorising inspections to verify grant application details.
Note |
The Executive Council can be expanded by the President to include additional government secretaries and up to three experts. |
- Accountability: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) conducts annual audits of the Foundation’s accounts.
Expectations and Community Reception
The scientific community had a positive reception, expecting the ANRF to provide:
- Autonomy from bureaucratic constraints.
- Increased funding.
- Collaboration opportunities with industry.
Challenges Faced by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
- Lack of Adequate Representation: The Governing Board and Executive Council lack members from the very universities and colleges they aim to support, despite over 95% of Indian students attending these institutions.
- The current makeup includes primarily high-ranking officials from various government science departments and a few academic elites, without representation from central or state universities.
- Inadequate Industry Representation: Out of significant planned funding from non-government sources (over 70%), the board includes only one industry representative, Romesh T. Wadhwani, highlighting a major gap in industry-academia collaboration.
- Underfunding: R&D funding in India is below needed levels.
- Bureaucratic and Structural Inefficiencies: The ANRF’s operational framework suffers from bureaucratic delays and lacks the flexibility needed for efficient management of funds and resources.
- The existence of multiple committees could lead to confusion and inefficiencies in decision-making.
Recommendations for Improvement
- The ANRF should ensure:
- Diverse representation includes more women, young entrepreneurs, and active scientists from the university system.
- The future CEO should have a background in both industry and academia, capable of understanding and integrating global innovation ecosystems.
- Structural changes are suggested to avoid the inefficiencies typical of other government science departments, promoting a more integrated approach between research and teaching.
- Current funding mechanisms are seen as inadequate, requiring:
- An increase in the R & D budget to 4% of GDP.
- A more efficient grant management system.
- Less bureaucratic red tape in fund disbursal and spending.