Towards a Market-Oriented Model
Research institutions are encouraged to generate income through external sources, such as marketing patents and forming partnerships with private companies.
Laboratories are becoming more like businesses, focusing on self-financing through commercial activities rather than relying solely on public funding.
The government’s emphasis is on research that can be commercially viable, shifting away from curiosity-driven science which may not have immediate applications.
Increasingly, private sector investment is expected to fund research, reducing the government’s financial responsibility.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
Created under the ANRF Act of 2023 to fund and improve research in India.
₹50,000 crore allocated over five years, with 72% expected from private sector contributions.
To link research with development and industry, focusing on both basic research and prototype development.
ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP)
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008 has been subsumed into ANRF.
Country Comparison
India: Public funding for scientific research is around 0.6% to 0.7% of GDP, which is relatively low compared to other countries
South Korea: Allocates about 2% to 3% of its GDP to science research, despite having a smaller population.
Funding Disparity:
The lower public investment in India contrasts with the higher spending by other countries, impacting the support for curiosity-driven and fundamental science.
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