The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 was approved on 28 June 2023 by the Union Cabinet, which is presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The approved Bill will pave the way for the establishment of the National Research Foundation, which will launch, grow, and support research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutes, and R&D laboratories.
After the approval by the Parliament, the Bill will establish the National Research Foundation, an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country in accordance with recommendations made by the National Education Policy (NEP), at an estimated total cost of US$ 6.1 billion (Rs 50,000 crore) over a five-year period (2023-28).
The administrative department of the NRF will be the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals from various disciplines. The Prime Minister will serve as the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Ministers of Science & Technology and Education will serve as the ex-officio Vice-Presidents due to the NRF’s extensive reach, which affects all ministries. An Executive Council, chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, will govern the National Research Foundation’s operations.
The National Research Foundation will forge collaborations between business, academia, government departments, and research institutions, and will create an interaction mechanism for the participations and contribution of industries and state governments. It will concentrate on developing a regulatory framework and setting up policies that can promote cooperation and greater industry R&D spending.
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which was founded by an Act of Parliament in 2008, would also be abolished by the Bill and absorbed into NRF, which has a broader scope and encompasses operations beyond those of SERB. It will create an interface mechanism for the participation and contribution of industries and state governments, in addition to the scientific and line ministries.
It will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D. The National Research Foundation will emphasize the funding of projects in peripheral, rural and semi-urban areas, which are neglected and never receive funding for science projects. It would promote research not just in the natural sciences and engineering, but also in social sciences, arts and humanities.
The National Research Foundation provides an efficient and integrated management system for the implementation of the missions such as the supercomputer mission or the quantum mission.
Smriti Panjwani is Assistant Professor, Jagran Lakecity
University, Bhopal.
