Lok Sabha Question No. 1026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: National Research Foundation Bill
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Jayanta Kumar Roy

मंğी

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1026 ANSWERED ON 26/07/2023

## NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION BILL

1026. SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a Special Purpose Vehicle will be  set up to identify technology gaps and fund Research and Development (R&D);
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- the other steps being taken by the Government to strengthen
- (e) the research ecosystem in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF

THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ राÏयमंğी (èवतंğ Ĥभार) (डॉ. िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

(a) & (b): The Union Cabinet has approved introduction of the National Research Foundation Bill, 2023 (Bill) in the Parliament with an aim to establish National Research Foundation (NRF) as a Statutory body under  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology.  NRF  serves  as  an overarching  apex  body  to  provide  high-level  strategic  direction  of scientific  research  in  the  country.  It  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 Bill also seeks repeal of the Science  and  Engineering  Research  Board  Act,  2008  (Act  No.  9  of 2009) and dissolution of the Science and Engineering Research Board constituted under the said Act.

- (c)  &  (d):  NRF  will  set  up  frameworks  to  identify  scientific  and practical solutions for societal, developmental, financial and technoeconomic  challenges  including  technology  gaps  and  fund  R&D through various mechanisms including creation of Special Purpose Funds to cater any specific project or research.
- (e):  The  government  has  taken  several  steps  to  strengthen  the research ecosystem  in the country. This includes  successive increase in allocations for scientific departments, creation of centres of excellence, instituting research fellowships and project schemes, encouraging public-private partnerships, fiscal incentives and support measures for enhancing the participation of industry in R&D, etc. The extramural funding schemes of Department of Science and Technology  (DST)  and  Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT)  and Fellowship  schemes  of  DST,  DBT  and  Council  of  Scientific  and Industrial Research (CSIR) have been designed to encourage scientists  to  do  quality  research  and  thereby  strengthening  the research ecosystem. Promotion of technology development programs in the area of energy efficiency, water technology, nano-technology, cyber-physical,  biotechnology,  industrial  technologies,  etc.  by  the Ministry of Science and Technology has been contributing significantly to strengthen the research ecosystem in the country.

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