Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s research and innovation landscape has seen a shift, with a new focus on revitalizing scientific research. After years of setbacks, including the controversial handling of the Indian Science Congress, which once attracted world-renowned scientists but was marred by political interference, the Modi administration has set its sights on restructuring India’s scientific research framework.
In a landmark move, the government established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in August 2023, replacing the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). This initiative, which was passed as an Act of Parliament, aims to recast the country’s research landscape, providing a framework for strategic collaboration between industry, academia, and government institutions. However, despite this ambitious plan, there are concerns regarding its funding and operational structure.
A Promising Reform, But with Omissions
While the formation of ANRF has been widely welcomed, its funding model remains a key point of contention. Unlike traditional government-backed initiatives, the bulk of the ₹50,000 crore allocated to ANRF between 2023-2028 is expected to come from private sources, primarily industry and philanthropists. This approach is inspired by the National Science Foundation (NSF) model in the United States, where industry plays a significant role in funding scientific research. However, this model faces challenges in India, where industry contributions to R&D remain disproportionately low—just 36.4% compared to China’s 77% and the US’s 75%. This gap highlights India’s historical reluctance to invest heavily in research and innovation.
Is the Government Doing Enough?
The government’s own investment in R&D has stagnated at 0.64% of GDP, significantly lower than global counterparts like China (2.41%), the US (3.47%), and Israel (5.71%). Moreover, the focus on education remains woefully insufficient, with the budget for education remaining too low to foster a robust innovative society. Prime Minister Modi’s call to “innovate, patent, produce, prosper” is often criticized as an empty slogan, especially when government policies have undermined the autonomy of top research institutions, including those under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The Role of Subra Suresh in ANRF
A glimmer of hope for the future of ANRF lies in the leadership of Dr. Subra Suresh, an internationally acclaimed scientist and former Director of NSF. With a rich background in interdisciplinary research and a reputation for inclusive science, Suresh’s approach to governance could reshape India’s research ecosystem. He designed the I-Corps program at NSF, which has been hailed as a game-changer in translating scientific discoveries into commercial products. Additionally, his establishment of the Global Research Council in 2012 is an example of his commitment to global scientific collaboration.
While Suresh’s credentials are impressive, the challenge in India will be the entrenched bureaucracy and the historically narrow view of science that dominates the country’s research ecosystem. The ANRF’s governance board, though notable for including Suresh, Manjul Bhargava, and Romesh Wadhwani, has conspicuously excluded Indian industry from its leadership. Moreover, the focus on collaboration across disciplines—humanities, liberal arts, and social sciences—could face resistance in a system traditionally focused on science and technology.
A Long Road Ahead
While the ANRF’s vision may signal a new era for scientific research in India, the implementation will not be without challenges. The absence of strong private-sector involvement and sufficient government funding could limit the foundation’s effectiveness. Moreover, the cultural and bureaucratic hurdles in India may stymie the broad, inclusive approach championed by Suresh. However, with the right support, the ANRF has the potential to foster a dynamic research environment that could drive innovation and help India compete globally in the fields of science, technology, and sustainability.
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