Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
National Research Foundation
GS3
"An apex body to fund, coordinate, and promote research and innovation across all disciplines in India"
Definition
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is India's apex research funding body established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023. It aims to seed, grow, and promote R&D across universities and research institutions, with a total outlay of Rs 50,000 crore over five years. It replaces the earlier Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and is headed by the Prime Minister as ex-officio President.
⭐ Significance for UPSC
Key for GS3 (S&T policy, innovation ecosystem) and Prelims (ANRF Act, budget, governance structure). Addresses India's chronic R&D underinvestment at 0.64% of GDP.
Key Points
- 1 Established under Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023
- 2 Total outlay — Rs 50,000 crore over 5 years
- 3 Governance — PM as President, Union Ministers of S&T and Education as Vice-Presidents
- 4 Replaces SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board)
- 5 Aims to increase private sector R&D participation (currently only 36% of total R&D)
- 6 Based on NEP 2020 recommendation
- 7 India's R&D spending — 0.64% of GDP (vs China 2.4%, USA 3.5%, Israel 5.4%)
- 8 Government contributes ~55% of R&D funding (vs 20-30% in innovation leaders)
Example / Context
The NRF is expected to bridge India's innovation gap by catalysing private sector R&D investment and strengthening university-industry research collaboration.
Related Terms
Mains GS Relevance
GS Paper 3
Economy, Environment, S&T, Security
Subject