New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the introduction of National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, in parliament. The Bill aims to pave the way to establish NRF that will seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
The NRF, an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), will be set up at an estimated cost of ₹50,000 crore over 2023-28.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be the administrative Department of NRF which will have a governing board consisting of researchers and professionals across disciplines.
Since the scope of the NRF is wide-ranging, impacting all ministries, the prime minister will be the ex-officio president of the board and the ministers of Science & Technology and Education will be ex-officio vice-presidents. NRF’s functioning will be governed by an executive council chaired by the principal scientific adviser to the government.
NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries. It will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D.
The bill will also repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board established by an act of Parliament in 2008 and subsume it into NRF which has an expanded mandate and covers activities over and above the activities of the Board.
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More
Less
Updated: 28 Jun 2023, 05:24 PM IST
For all the latest world News Click Here
