The National Research foundation bill seeks to establish NRF, with the object to enhance and promote the culture of research and innovation among Indian universities, colleges, research institutions and research laboratories. This bill is expected to provide high level strategic direction to the scientific research in India, which is also recommended in the National Education Policy 2020. The total expected cost of this endeavour is estimated to be around 50,000 crores during the first 5 years (2023-28). NRF will primarily function to include advancement and collaboration among the industry, academia, ministries, research institutions and government departments including state and centre. It aims to create an interface mechanism with science and technology at pivotal role for overall growth and development of the country.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is going to be the administrative wing for the NRF which in turn will be governed by governing board comprising of eminent researchers and professionals from various disciplines. The honourable Prime Minister will be the ex officio president of the board and the Union Minister of Science and Technology and Union Minister of Education will be ex officio vice president. The NRF will be governed by an executive council chaired by the principal scientific advisor of the Government of India. Enforcement of this bill will repeal the scientific science and engineering research board which was established by an act of parliament in 2008.
With a large network of science and technology institutions, India stands at the 3rd hardest scientific and technical power in the world. We are also second to none in the field of basic research and with the development of forecasting supercomputers like Pratyush and Mihir we are also entering in the ranks of top countries with huge research potential in the field of weather forecasting. The NRF will bring the problems of equitable research funding on board with private sector investments to research infrastructure and building trained manpower. Research and innovations in the field of health management and research will also benefit in long run by getting mainstreamed with core area of science and technology like basic research, molecular research, genetics, oncology, space engineering etc.
Author: Dr. Nidhi Yadav -Associate Professor
Link: https://www.iihmrdelhi.edu.in/team-iihmr/associate-professors/dr-nidhi-yadav