• UGI USER
  • Jul 08, 2024
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ANRF INITIATIVE:  CHALLENGES IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Syllabus:

GS 3:

  • Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications
  • Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, and Computers.

Why in the News?

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is in the news due to concerns over its recent formation of governing and executive councils that lack adequate representation from universities and industry, raising doubts about its ability to effectively foster research and innovation in India.

Source: IE

Introduction of ANRF

  • Historic Start: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament in 2023 to foster research in Indian universities and colleges.
  • Primary Goal: The 2019 NRF project report emphasized growing outstanding research cells at State Universities as a top priority for ANRF.
  • Scientific Community: Welcomed by scientists, the ANRF was expected to provide autonomy from bureaucracy, boost funding, and foster industry collaboration.
  • Expectation: Hopes were high for ANRF to create a supportive environment for academic research and industry partnerships.
  • Initial Plans: The initiative was set to enhance research infrastructure and collaboration with the industry.

 

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):

Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, it replaces the SERB and aims to provide strategic direction for scientific research and innovation in India.

  • Financial Scope: Budgeted at ₹50,000 crore for 2023-28, NRF seeks to increase private sector involvement in research and allocate more government funds to state universities and colleges.
  • Administrative Oversight: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) oversees NRF, ensuring efficient administration and strategic implementation.

Organisational Structure of National Research Foundation

Governing Board:

  • President/Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
  • Other Members:

Ø  Union Minister of Science and Technology and Union Minister of Education as Vice Presidents

Ø  Principal Scientific Advisor as Member Secretary

Ø  Secretaries to the Departments of Science and Technology, Biotechnology, and Scientific and Industrial Research

Ø  Member of NITI Aayog dealing with science and technology

Ø  Additional members appointed by the Board’s President from business organizations, social sciences, and humanities

Executive Council:

Ø  Govern the administrative operations of NRF

Ø  Provide policy guidance and oversee implementation

Ø  Implement Foundation objectives aligned with Board direction

Ø  Review and approve financial aid applications.

Ø  Develop and manage the Foundation’s budget and accounts

Lack of Industry Representation

  • Board Composition: The ANRF announced a 15-member Governing Board and a 16-member Executive Council lacking industry and university representation.
  • University Representation: Despite 95% of students attending State universities, there are no members from Central or State universities on the board or council.
  • High-Powered Committee: The board includes typical high-ranking officials from various government science departments and institutions.
  • Ground-Level Knowledge: The board lacks members with practical experience and understanding of university system bottlenecks.
  • Single Committee: Emphasis on forming a single committee to implement strategies effectively and avoid confusion from multiple committees.

Diversity and Representation

  • Industry Representation: ANRF plans to raise over 70% of its funding from non-government sources, yet has inadequate industry representation.
  • Sole Representative: Romesh T. Wadhwani, an Indian-American businessman from Silicon Valley, is the only industry representative.
  • Gender Diversity: The sole woman on the committee is the Secretary of the DSIR, highlighting a lack of diverse representation.
  • Domestic Industry: There is no representation from Indian industry or entrepreneurs, nor eminent academics from Central and State universities.
  • Need for Inclusion: The board and council require diverse members to understand and address the current system’s challenges.

Challenges of R&D Underfunding

  • Current Funding: India underfunds research and development, requiring a significant increase in the R&D budget to 4% of GDP.
  • System Overhaul: A comprehensive overhaul of the funding system is necessary to boost research and enhance global competitiveness.
  • Staffing and Management: ANRF must be adequately staffed and implement a robust grant management system with internal peer-review processes.
  • Funding Efficiency: Ensure timely disbursal of grants and fellowships, with a turnaround time of less than six months between application and fund disbursal.
  • Bureaucratic Hurdles: The system should be free from bureaucratic obstacles, offering flexibility in spending and procurement processes.

Future Direction and Recommendations

  • Operational Model: ANRF should operate differently from current government science departments, with diverse representation of natural and social scientists.
  • Diverse Committees: Include more women and young entrepreneurs in its committees to foster innovation and inclusivity.
  • CEO Requirements: The future CEO should have a background in both industry and academia, capable of raising funds and understanding the global innovation ecosystem.
  • Research and Teaching: ANRF must bridge the gap between research and teaching in universities to avoid becoming another typical government department.
  • Complete Overhaul: A complete overhaul is needed to ensure ANRF meets its objectives and effectively supports research and innovation in India.

What needs to be done/ Way Forward

  • Inclusive Representation: Ensure the ANRF board and executive council include representatives from Central and State universities, Indian industries, and diverse backgrounds to address practical challenges and foster collaboration.
  • Funding Boost: Increase the research and development budget to 4% of GDP to provide adequate financial resources for innovative projects and competitive global research.
  • Streamlined Processes: Implement a robust and efficient grant management system with a quick turnaround time for application processing and fund disbursal to minimize delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
  • Flexibility in Spending: Allow flexibility in spending, avoiding stringent government financial rules and the mandatory use of the Government e-marketplace (GeM) portal.
  • Diverse Leadership: Appoint a CEO with experience in both industry and academia, capable of fundraising and understanding the global innovation landscape.
  • Ground-Level Knowledge: Form a single committee with members who have practical, ground-level knowledge to ensure informed and competent decision-making.
  • Gender and Youth Inclusion: Promote gender diversity and include young entrepreneurs in decision-making roles to encourage a broad spectrum of perspectives and ideas.

Conclusion

For the ANRF to fulfill its mission of enhancing India’s research capabilities, it must address representation issues, streamline processes, and secure diverse leadership. These changes are crucial for transforming the ANRF into a dynamic force driving innovation and bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Source:The Hindu

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the significance of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in promoting research and development in India. Evaluate the challenges it faces in its current structure and suggest measures to enhance its effectiveness.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/minding-the-research-gap-overhauling-funding-and-regulations-for-national-research-foundation/