National Research Foundation Bill 2023 To Be Introduced Soon; PM Modi To Lead NRF Governing Board

The National Research Foundation or NRF will serve as an apex body providing strategic direction for scientific research in the country.

PM Modi will lead NRF Governing Board. (Representative Image)

Source : Getty

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted approval for the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in Parliament. The approved bill will pave the way for the establishment of the NRF, which aims to foster a culture of research and innovation across universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories in India. Aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), the NRF will serve as an apex body providing strategic direction for scientific research in the country. The estimated cost for the NRF's implementation over a period of five years (2023-2028) is Rs. 50,000 crore.

Under the administrative oversight of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the NRF will be governed by a distinguished Governing Board comprising eminent researchers and professionals from various disciplines. The Prime Minister will hold the position of ex-officio President of the Board, while the Union Minister of Science & Technology and the Union Minister of Education will serve as ex-officio Vice-Presidents. The functioning of the NRF will be overseen by an Executive Council led by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Speaking on the NRF Bill, UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said: "The decision by the Union Cabinet to introduce the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, in Parliament is a most welcome step. The efforts made by Higher Education Institutions to enhance the research ecosystem on their campuses will get an impetus. NRF will provide an excellent opportunity for academia, industry, and research institutions to work together on the most pressing challenges of our country to make India the front-runner in research and innovation."

The NRF will foster collaborations among industry, academia, government departments, and research institutions. It will facilitate the participation and contributions of industries and state governments in addition to scientific and line ministries. The primary focus of the NRF will be to create a policy framework and regulatory processes that encourage increased industry investment in R&D.

Furthermore, the bill will repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), established by an act of Parliament in 2008, and integrate its activities into the NRF, which will have an expanded mandate covering a broader range of activities.

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