Dr. Vishal Sharma
This article is based on the recent decision of the Union Cabinet which approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, in Parliament on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. This bill establishes the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the apex body responsible for providing “high-level strategic direction” to scientific research in the country, in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020). (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1935895)
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during the inauguration of the 106th session of the Indian Science Congress-2019, delivered a momentous speech and recalled the famous slogan coined by former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji (Hail the soldier, hail the farmer, hail science). Further, he said that it was now time to take a step further and emphasize the need to further progress by focusing on research and development in the country. He added the new word “Anusandhan” (research) to the slogan, and introduced an expanded version of the slogan. (Hail the soldier, hail the farmer, hail science, hail research).In addition to this significant statement, the Prime Minister also introduced the historic National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) with the vision of restoring India’s past glory as the “Vishva Guru” (world leader in education& Research).
To advance further in this direction, the Union Cabinet approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, in Parliament on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. This bill establishes the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the apex body responsible for providing “high-level strategic direction” to scientific research in the country, in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020). The NRF will be established with an estimated total cost of ?50,000 crore over the period 2023-2028. The bill also repeals the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which was established by an act of Parliament in 2008, and incorporates its functions into the NRF, which has an expanded mandate covering activities beyond those of the Board.
As per the press release by Press Information Bureau, Government of India (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1935895),the Department of Science & Technology (DST) will be the “administrative” department of NRF. The NRF will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals from across disciplines. The Prime Minister (PM) will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology and Union Minister of Education will be the ex-officio Vice-Presidents. The NRF’s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
How NRF will be a game changer for research and innovation in the country:
NRF will play a crucial role in initiating, developing, and promoting research and development (R&D) activities to foster a culture of research and innovation across colleges, universities, research institutions, and R&D laboratories throughout India; The NRF is designed to ensure equitable conduct and funding of scientific research among all stakeholders involved; Currently, there are limitations on private sector collaboration and funding for R&D projects in educational institutes, with only a few prominent institutes and IITs enjoying such opportunities. The NRF aims to streamline the process of investment in R&D and encourage academia to collaborate with private research organizations; The NRF will facilitate greater private sector participation in research funding, with an anticipated investment of up to ?36,000 crore from the private sector over a span of five years. This will help to boost India’s R&D ecosystem and create new opportunities for innovation; The NRF will also provide easy funding access for innovative projects and startups, ensuring that even innovators from remote and far-flung villages of the country receive assistance for their innovative endeavors. This approach will foster an innovative and startup culture nationwide; The NRF will foster collaborations among industries, academia, government departments, and research institutions. It will establish an interface mechanism that allows industries and state governments to actively participate and contribute alongside scientific and line ministries. This will help to pool resources and expertise, and will facilitate the transfer of technology from the lab to the market; One of the key focuses of the NRF will be to create a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D. This will help to make India a global leader in research and innovation.
In conclusion, the establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) is a significant step in India’s efforts to become a global leader in science and technology. The NRF will provide the much-needed strategic direction and funding for research and development in India. This will help to foster a culture of innovation and creativity in the country and contribute to India’s economic growth and development. The Bill seeks to ensure equitable funding and conduct of scientific research, with a particular focus on encouraging private sector collaboration and investment in R&D projects. This initiative will not only facilitate greater industry participation but also create opportunities for startups and individuals from diverse backgrounds to receive funding and support for their innovative projects. The NRF will serve as a catalyst for collaboration among academia, industries, government departments, and research institutions, facilitating knowledge exchange and driving progress in various sectors.NRF will provide an excellent opportunity for academia, industry, and research institutions to work together on the most pressing challenges of our country to make India the frontrunner in research and innovation. With the NRF’s establishment, India is poised to foster a vibrant ecosystem of research and innovation, paving the way for scientific advancements and socio-economic growth in the country.
(The writer is HOD Electronics, Govt. MAM College Jammu and Fulbright Climate Fellow, USA, Commonwealth Fellow, UK).