The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in India is facing criticism for its lack of representation from the Indian industry and State universities on its executive and governing boards. The Ministry of Science and Technology recently released the list of members, revealing that the ANRF, which was expected to receive a significant portion of its funding from non-government sources, has only one industrialist on its 15-member Governing Board.
The absence of Indian industry in the ANRF is particularly glaring as the ANRF Act, passed in August 2023, aimed to boost research by securing funding from industry and philanthropists. The Act specifically empowered the President of the Governing Board, the Prime Minister of India, to appoint up to five members from business organizations or industry. However, the current board composition falls short of this mandate.
The ANRF, which replaces the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), is a significant reform in the Indian research landscape, expanding the definition of research to include various disciplines beyond science and engineering. Despite this, the exclusion of Indian industry and State universities from the board has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the new structure in driving scientific research in the country.
Critics point out that India’s research expenditure heavily relies on government funding, with only 36% coming from the private sector. This is significantly lower than countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., where the private sector contributes up to 70% of research expenditure. The lack of industry representation in the ANRF could hinder efforts to increase private sector investment in research and development, which is crucial for boosting India’s overall research output.
As the ANRF embarks on its mission to revitalize scientific research in India, the inclusion of Indian industry and State universities in its decision-making bodies will be essential to ensure a more diverse and sustainable funding ecosystem for research and innovation in the country.