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In a bid to strengthen the research ecosystem in India, the Union government has proposed the formation of a ‘National Research Foundation‘ (NRF) which will foster a culture of research and innovation in India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and laboratories.
An estimated outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore has been allotted to the NRF for the next five years (2023-28)
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to set up the National Research Foundation to bolster the country’s research competence. The NRF will be "an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research" in India, a statement issued by the Cabinet said.
The NRF will follow the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
Essentially, the NRF will promote, fund, and mentor scientific research in higher education institutions across the country.
“For some reason, there has been an artificial separation between research and higher education in the country. There are research institutions, and there are colleges and universities where very little research is carried out. One of the objectives of the NRF would be to build research capacities in our universities," Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said.
The NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, government departments, and research institutions. It will create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries, as per the Cabinet statement.
The apex research body will also focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on research and development.
The NRF will address the issues of research funding and the lack of collaboration between research and education institutions.
"We have found that so far scientific research has been conducted in silos – in government departments and laboratories, central and state universities — with no uniformity in infrastructure, such as the kind that IITs in the country have. There has also been a lack of uniformity in the funding of scientific research. These issues have been addressed in the Bill," Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh elucidated.
The NRF will be administered by a board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines, as per the Cabinet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the president of this governing board.
The Union Ministers of Science & Technology and Education will be the ex-officio vice-presidents. The NRF’s functioning will be governed by an executive council chaired by the principal scientific advisor to the government of India.
India currently spends a low proportion of its GDP – 0.7 per cent – on research and development. The gross expenditure on R&D declined from 0.84 per cent in 2008 to about 0.69 per cent in 2018, the last year for which confirmed figures are available.
In comparison, the US spent 2.83 per cent, China spent 2.14 per cent, and Israel spent 4.9 per cent of its GDP on research and development.
The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, is expected to be tabled in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Parliament. The apex research body can be established once both Houses pass the Bill.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the NRF would have come into existence earlier, but was delayed by the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
