QUESTION

(a) the details of the National Research Foundation (NRF), its corporate body,
funding corpus, mission and vision;

(b) whether the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act has been
implemented, if not, the proposed date of implementation;

(c) the key research areas targeted by Government in the coming years; and

(d) the steps taken by Government to promote science and technology research in
backward areas and aspirational districts?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) The primary objective of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation
is to provide high level strategic direction for research, innovation and
entrepreneurship in the fields of natural sciences including mathematical sciences,
engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences, health and agriculture.
It will also encourage scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social
sciences, to promote, monitor and provide support as required for such research and
for matters connected there with or incidental thereto. The ANRF will seed, grow and
promote R&D and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s
universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

The ANRF has a total estimated budget of Rs. 50,000 crores for five years (2023-28),
out of which a major share of over 70% is estimated to come from non-government
sources, especially through donations from public sector enterprises, the private
sector, philanthropist organisations, foundations or international bodies, etc.
Department of Science and Technology (DST) is the administrative Department of
ANRF which will be governed by a Governing Board chaired by the Hon’ble Prime
Minister. The ANRF is going to function under the supervision of an Executive
Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
(b) The rollout of ANRF has been initiated and in this regard, DST has
established an ANRF cell and constituted an Implementation Committee to prepare
the rules and regulations for the functioning of ANRF.

(c) The key research areas targeted by the Government are of natural sciences
including mathematical sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and
earth sciences, health and agriculture, and scientific and technological interfaces of
humanities and social sciences.

(d) The government has taken several steps to promote S&T research in the
country. The primary objective of ANRF is to bring equity among all sections of R&D
community and regions so that R&D funding reach all the stakeholders including
those in the backward areas and aspirational districts.