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National Affairs

National Affairs

National Research Foundation (NRF)

11 Jul 2023 Zinkpot 203
  1. The Indian Union Cabinet recently approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill taking a step towards boosting scientific research in the country.
  2. It is designed to be an apex body for providing high-level strategic direction for scientific research in India. It is customized on the lines of the distinctly flourishing National Science Foundation of the United States.
  3. To foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutes and R&D laboratories is one of the primary aims of NRF.
  4. NRF will achieve this aim by fostering collaborations among industries, academia, government departments, and research institutions.
  5. NRF aims to promote research not only in natural sciences but also in humanities, social sciences, and arts. It recognizes the importance of integrating these disciplines into decision-making processes.
  6. It intends to identify priority areas aligned with national objectives such as clean energy, climate change, sustainable infrastructure, improved transportation, and accessible healthcare.
  7. Fund allocation: A total of Rs.50,000 crores would be allocated over the span of five years (2023-28). Out of the allocated Rs.50,000 crores, the government plans to raise Rs.36,000 crores through investments from industries and philanthropists, while the remaining amount will be funded by the government – Rs.10,000 crores from the Centre and Rs.4000 crores through subsuming Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) into the NRF.
  8. Administration: The NRF would be administratively housed in the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It would have a 16-member governing board with two members from DST, five from industry, one from humanities, and six experts who would be selected depending on the nature of the project being evaluated.
  9. Prime minister will be the ex officio President of the board, while the Union Minister of Science and Technology and the Union Minister of Education will be the ex officio Vice Presidents.
  10. Need for NRF: India barely spends 0.7% of its GDP on R&D, which is extremely low compared to the US (2.83%), China (2.14%), Israel (4.9%), Brazil, Malaysia, and Egypt.
  11. Moreover, NRF will promote the democratization of science funding, finding solutions to the big problems facing Indian society, etc.
  12. The bill was necessary because current laws made it hard for private research organizations to contribute to a funding body such as the NRF.
     

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