Overview
The ANRF convened its first Governing Board meeting on 10 September 2024, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agenda centred on redesigning R&D programmes to align with national priorities, promote inclusive growth and tighten the link between academic research and industry.
Key Developments (Mission‑Mode Initiatives)
- MAHA has launched missions on Electric Vehicles (EV), 2D Innovation Hub, MedTech, AI for Science & Engineering and CRM Research.
- Launch of the NQM with four thematic hubs at IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi.
- Inception of the NM‑ICPS to create a network of research centres across academia.
- Establishment of CoE for cutting‑edge research at the science‑society interface.
- Introduction of talent‑support schemes: ARG, PMECRG, NPDF, and the Ramanujan Fellowship.
Important Project Grants (Selected High‑Impact Areas)
| Sr. No. | Project Title | Institute | Total Cost (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials & Fabrication for Tropical Batteries | International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad | 68.38 |
| 2 | Te‑MobiX: Safe, Degradation‑controlled Batteries for Tropical e‑Mobility | IIT (BHU), Varanasi | 47.77 |
| 3 | Grid Readiness for EV (GREET) | IIT Kanpur | 47.45 |
| 4 | E‑RIDES: Indigenous EV Sub‑systems | IIT Bombay | 56.56 |
| 5 | Wireless Chargers for EVs | IIT Kharagpur | 18.37 |
| 6 | Rare‑Earth‑Free Motors for EVs | NIT Karnataka, Surathkal | 7.76 |
| 7 | Wide‑Bandgap Power Electronics for EVs | CSIR‑CEERI, Pilani | 18.41 |
UPSC Relevance
These initiatives illustrate the government's strategic shift from basic research to mission‑oriented, outcome‑driven R&D. They are directly relevant to GS Paper III (Science & Technology) – understanding the structure of India's research ecosystem, funding mechanisms, and the role of public‑private partnerships. The focus on EVs, quantum technologies and cyber‑physical systems also ties into GS Paper II (Economy) through industrial policy, green technology, and export potential.
Way Forward
- Strengthen inter‑institutional coordination to avoid duplication and ensure efficient resource utilisation.
- Scale up industry‑academia collaboration via the PAIR programme.
- Develop robust metrics through the Centre of Excellence for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (COE‑STIIA) to monitor impact and guide future policy.
- Encourage skill‑development programmes aligned with the emerging technology domains to create a ready workforce.
Collectively, these measures aim to position India as a global hub for high‑impact research, fostering inclusive growth and technological self‑reliance.