Introduction
Recently, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) Act, 2023 has been implemented in the country. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill, 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 04, 2023 and was passed on August 07, 2023. Two days later, it was passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 09, 2023. On August 12, 2023, the President gave it the assent. The main objective of the Act is to facilitate research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in various fields of natural sciences, such as engineering and technology, health and agriculture, mathematical sciences, environmental and Earth sciences, and scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences by providing high-level strategic direction. It also focuses on improving the knowledge enterprise, national research infrastructure, and innovation potential for scientific pursuit. It will indicate the position of India in 2047. The Act is expected to bring India into the category of developed nations, thereby making breakthroughs in new research in novel fields.
What the NRF Act, 2023 does
The NRF Act, 2023 provides for the setting up of the National Research Foundation (NRF). Under this Act, the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 has been revoked, but it is incorporated into the NRF, as the Act of 2008 provided a valuable platform for facilitating science and engineering research via financial support. The NRF Act, 2023 will include more activities compared to the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) that had been set up under the 2008 SERB Act. Thus, the mandate of the NRF Act has been expanded.
Who Governs the NRF
As per the NRF Act 2023, the Department of Science and Technology and a regulatory board comprising notable experts from different disciplines will govern the NRF. Besides, the prime minister and the Union Minister of Education will also actively participate in its administration considering its importance.
Key Provisions of the NRF Act
The NRF will act as an apex body to provide a financially viable research ecosystem and facilitate research activities meant for the private sector.
Some of the main provisions of the NRF Act, 2023 are as follows:
- NRF will be responsible for the following:
- To define roadmaps for short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals
- To create programmes for research and development (R&D)
- To accelerate and finance the R&D activities and associated infrastructure in research institutions, colleges, and universities
- To give grants for research proposals
- To assist in translating research into capital intensive technology
- To promote collaboration between India and other countries
- To encourage private and public sector entities to invest in the foundation
- To conduct a survey regarding scientific research, outcomes, and expenditure annually
- NRF will be funded with the help of the following:
- The central government will provide grants and loans.
- Amounts received by the foundation will be invested in order to obtain income.
- Donations will be made to the fund.
- All the funds will be utilised that are with the foundation for setting up the Science and Engineering Research as per the 2008 SERB Act.
- The foundation will contribute to the following funds for the purpose of allocation:
- The Anusandhan NRF Fund to pay out salaries, allowances, and administrative expenses
- The Innovation Fund for financing outstanding performances in the Foundation-supported areas
- The Science and Engineering Research Fund for completing the projects started under the Act of 2008
- Funds established for special purpose, i.e., for a particular project or research
The norms for using these funds will be laid down by the central government. The accounts of the foundation will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on a yearly basis.
- There will be a governing board for NRF, headed by the Prime Minister of India. Its other members would be
- vice presidents, i.e., the Union ministers of science and technology, and education;
- member secretary, i.e., the principal scientific advisor; and
- secretaries to the departments of science and technology, scientific and industrial research, and biotechnology.
The foundation will be provided with the strategic direction by the board which will further supervise the implementation.
- As per the requirement, additional members may be appointed to the board by the president of the board (i.e., the prime minister). These members may include
- around five members who are a part of business organisations or industries.
- one member belonging to the fields of social sciences and humanities.
- around six persons having expertise in natural sciences, engineering, and technology.
- a chief executive officer holding the rank of an additional secretary or above.
- There will be an executive council for the foundation whose purpose would be to carry out implementation. This council would perform the following functions:
- To consider applications for providing financial support
- To make a budget for the foundation and to develop and maintain its accounts
- To lay down the norms related to the applications for financial support, requirements for extending such assistance, and reasons for cancelling such assistance
- To assign the responsibility of visiting the applicants for grants and validating their submissions to an officer
- The council would be headed by the principal scientific advisor as its chairperson. Its other members are
- the chief executive officer (CEO) of the foundation;
- secretaries to several departments of the central government, i.e., science and technology, health research, defence research, higher education, and agricultural research; and
- up to two secretaries of departments other than the ones mentioned under the Act of 2023 and up to three experts may be appointed to the council by the president of the foundation.
- NRF will be responsible for forming collaborations between academia, businesses, government agencies, and research institutes. It will utilise the financial resources of the private sector so that a financially viable research ecosystem can be established.
- It will create a regulatory framework and formulate policies to enhance cooperation and greater R&D activities in the industry.
- It will boost the education sector in the country by creating job opportunities for the large amount of skilled human resources, who have to otherwise migrate to other countries for better opportunities. It will play a crucial role in promoting our country’s competitiveness in the international economy.
- NRF focuses on initiating collaboration with other international organisations and entities, such as those of Indian origin, so that the process of exchanging scientific information evolves, thereby enhancing the scientific ecosystem. In this way, research would not be confined to India only.
Under the NRF Act 2023, approximately Rs 50,000 crore would be spent over the course of five years. Around 80 per cent of this amount, i.e., Rs 36,000 crore, will be obtained from non-government sources, such as via philanthropy, industries, and domestic and international sources.
Way Forward
The NRF Act, 2023 will have a long-term effect and outcomes. By facilitating scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences, the Act will be responsible for monitoring and providing assistance in research and other related matters or matters incidental thereto. The R&D expenditure in the country will be shut up. It is the obligation of the executive council of NRF to oversee the progress of various projects along with examining the accountability of the funding at different levels.
Under the NRF Act, 2023, many novel avenues of livelihood will be opened. NRF will not only create R&D but also grow and promote it. Besides, a culture of research and innovation will be adopted in all the research institutions, colleges, universities, and R&D laboratories across the country.
The Department of NRF will be administered by the Department of Science and Technology. A governing board which may comprise notable researchers and professionals across various disciplines will govern the Department of NRF.
NRF is envisaged to collaborate among the government departments, academia, industry, and research institutions. In order for industries, state governments, scientific and line ministries (sector ministry) to participate and contribute, NRF will develop an interface mechanism.
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