Union Cabinet Approves National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill To Foster Research And Development

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has granted approval for the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in Parliament. This landmark Bill aims to establish the NRF, which will play a pivotal role in seeding, nurturing, and promoting Research and Development (R&D) while cultivating a culture of research and innovation across India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

The approved Bill, in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), will create the NRF as an apex body responsible for providing high-level strategic direction to scientific research in the country. The estimated total cost over a five-year period (2023-2028) for establishing the NRF is Rs. 50,000 crore.

Under the administrative purview of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the NRF will be governed by a distinguished Governing Board comprising eminent researchers and professionals from diverse disciplines. Given the extensive scope of the NRF’s activities, which impact various ministries, the Prime Minister will serve as the ex-officio President of the Board, while the Union Minister of Science & Technology and Union Minister of Education will serve as ex-officio Vice-Presidents. The NRF’s operations will be overseen by an Executive Council headed by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

The NRF will facilitate collaborations among industry, academia, government departments, and research institutions, fostering an interface mechanism for the active participation and contribution of industries and state governments, alongside scientific and line ministries. It will focus on creating a policy framework and regulatory processes that encourage collaboration and increased investment in R&D by the industry.

Additionally, the Bill will repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established under an act of Parliament in 2008 and incorporate it within the NRF. The NRF’s expanded mandate will encompass activities that go beyond those of the SERB.