Lok Sabha Question No. 459 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Anusandhan National Research Foundation
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri B K Parthasarathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION No. *459 ANSWERED ON 02/04/2025

## ANUSANDHAN NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to

- *459.  SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI: state:
- (a) the amount  of  funds approved  for  Anusandhan  National Research Foundation and the amount of funds utilized;
- (b) whether educational universities are being provided research grants under Anusandhan National Research Foundation;
- (c) if so, the details of the educational universities that are being provided funds for research, State-wise;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans for setting up regional centres of Anusandhan National Research Foundation in collaboration with educational institutions;
- (e)
- (f)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार) (डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह)

(a) to (f):

A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 459 FOR 02.04.2025 REGARDING ANUSANDHAN NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

- (a) The  government  has  established  the  Anusandhan  National Research Foundation (ANRF) through ANRF Act of 2023, which was notified in February 2024. The ANRF aims to receive funds in the form of ANRF Fund, Innovation Fund, Science and Engineering Research Fund and Special Purpose Funds. A budgetary provision of Rs. 14,000 crores have been made from the Central Government and remaining amount will  be  sourced  through  donations  from  any  other  source, including from public sector enterprises, the private sector, philanthropist organizations, foundations or recoveries made of the amounts  granted  to  ANRF,  any  income  from  investment  of  the amounts received by ANRF and all amounts with the Fund for Science and Engineering Research under the repealed Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008. For the Financial Year 202425,  ANRF  has  been  allocated  a  Revised  Estimate ( RE)  of  Rs.  966 crores of which Rs. 721 crores has already been utilized.
- (b) to (c): Yes Sir. Educational universities can obtain research grant  through  submitting  research  proposals  in  competitive  mode under  the  different  calls  advertised  from  ANRF  as  per  respective guidelines.  So  far,  five  calls  have  been  announced:  Prime  Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG),  EV-Mission, Inclusive Research Grant (IRG), Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) and JC Bose Grant. Among these, the PAIR program aims  to  strengthen  the  research  capabilities  of  higher  education institutions,  where  research  is  still  in  the  early  stages  but  holds significant potential. This program pairs emerging institutions with established, top-tier research  institutions in a  'Hub  &  Spoke' framework, providing mentorship and support. The objectives of the PAIR programme include: support internationally competitive research with substantial impact and outcome; foster successful and productive collaborative networks between diverse institutions; and propel the advancement of institutions by (i) upscaling and building advanced research infrastructure and capabilities, (ii) enhancing the quality of research and (iii) facilitating infusion of best practices and research culture.

The PAIR program has earmarked a budget of Rs. 1,500 crores over five years, with each selected PAIR network eligible for funding up  to  Rs.  100  crore.  Of  this,  30%  of  the  funds  will  go  to  the  Hub institution, while 70% will be allocated to the Spoke institutions. It is envisaged that the hubs in tandem with select spokes are expected

to  come  up  with  competitive,  impactful  research  proposals  with potentially significant outcomes in the specified indicative themes.

In  its  first  phase,  the  program  is  targeting  universities  that  have demonstrated potential through national ranking and those that show promise  for  scaling  up  their  research  capabilities.  The  evaluation process  for  the  proposals  received  under  different  ANRF  calls  is currently underway.

(d) to (f): Sir, as on date, there is no plan of setting up regional centres of Anusandhan National Research Foundation in collaboration with education institutions, however, under a program, Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) which is designed to work in 'Hub & Spoke' framework, hubs will be set up across the country.

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