New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired the inaugural meeting of the Governing Body of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. The session marked a significant moment in India’s science and technology landscape as key decisions were made to reshape the nation’s research and development (R&D) strategy.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to identify and eliminate obstacles in the country’s research ecosystem. He called for setting ambitious goals and undertaking innovative research to address pressing issues. Highlighting the importance of localized solutions to global challenges, he stated, “The problems may be global, but their solutions should be tailored to Indian needs.”
A key feature discussed was the development of a comprehensive dashboard to track all R&D activities across the nation. Modi also stressed the necessity of scientific monitoring to ensure effective resource utilization in research and innovation. Reassuring the scientific community, he affirmed that there would be no shortage of resources for their endeavors.
The ANRF plans to introduce a mentorship initiative under a “hub and spoke” model, pairing universities with emerging research capabilities with established institutions. This approach aims to foster collaboration and enhance research across all academic levels.
In line with India’s goal of achieving “Viksit Bharat 2047,” the ANRF will focus on mission-mode research in critical sectors like Electric Vehicle (EV) mobility, Advanced Materials, Solar Cells, Smart Infrastructure, Health & Medical Technology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Photonics. These research efforts are intended to strengthen India’s journey toward self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Modi also encouraged interdisciplinary research and announced the establishment of Centers of Excellence in the humanities and social sciences to support knowledge advancement beyond technical fields.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Principal Scientific Adviser, and several prominent academics and industry leaders, including Dr. Manjul Bhargava from Princeton University and Dr. Romesh Wadhwani of Symphony Technology Group, were in attendance.
The ANRF was established to promote R&D and foster innovation across India’s academic and research institutions. It is poised to align national priorities with global best practices, aiming to place India at the forefront of cutting-edge research and innovation by 2047.
