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The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), established under the landmark Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, has begun charting an ambitious path for India’s research and development ecosystem since its enactment on February 5, 2024. With high-level strategic oversight, ANRF is poised to transform research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across an array of fields—ranging from natural sciences, engineering, and technology, to health, agriculture, and even the intersection of humanities and social sciences.
A central aspect of ANRF’s vision is robust collaboration between industry and academia. The Foundation has been actively working to attract private sector participation in research and innovation, unveiling programmes that specifically require and incentivize industry involvement. As part of its Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) initiative, ANRF has selected Electric Vehicle (EV) Mobility as a key research focus. Notably, the MAHA-EV Mission mandates the presence of industry partners—including Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and start-ups—in all projects, and requires them to contribute 10% of the costs, underscoring the government’s push for public-private partnership in mission-driven research.
In an unprecedented move to make India a global innovation leader, the government has approved the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, with a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore. This initiative is designed to provide long-term, low (or even zero) interest financing, spurring private sector investment in sunrise and strategic sectors—areas crucial for the nation’s technological competitiveness. By addressing funding constraints that have historically hindered private investment in research and development, the RDI Scheme aims to provide much-needed growth and risk capital.
To further boost scientific creativity, the ANRF’s Advanced Research Grant (ARG) programme empowers Principal Investigators to submit proposals for developing artificial intelligence tools in physics, chemistry, and biology. These proposals will be considered under ANRF’s standard evaluation process, opening new channels for cutting-edge innovation in core sciences.
This information was disclosed by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, and the Departments of Atomic Energy and Space, in a recent written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Delhi, and official government communications as of July 31, 2025. Readers are encouraged to consult official sources for further details and updates.
