Energizing India's Scientific Research: The Role of the National Research Foundation (NRF) : Daily News Analysis

Date : 11/07/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 3 : Science & Technology

Keywords: IMPRINT, Atal Teakring lab, TRIPS, IPR rightIMPRINT,

Context -

The Union Cabinet has approved a draft bill to establish the National Research Foundation (NRF) in India. The NRF aims to accelerate India's development agenda by catalyzing and directing interdisciplinary research. It will replace the Science and Engineering Research Board of India (SERB) and focus on impactful knowledge creation and translation.
The NRF will be presided over by the Prime Minister, with the ministers for science, technology, and education serving as ex-officio vice presidents. Comprising eminent scientists, government officials, and industry leaders, the NRF's 18-member board will oversee ten major directorates focusing on various disciplines.

How does India perform in comparison to other countries?

India is a low-spender (only 0.66% of the GDP) in comparison to the developed countries and emerging economic powers of East Asia. In fact, India’s expenditure on R&D is lower than Low and Middle-Income Countries.
In most of the developed capitalist countries, defense-related R&D is undertaken by the private sector. In India, this expenditure is mostly borne by public funding.
The magnitude and quantum of Joint Public-Private research projects is much higher in developed countries in comparison to India.

Steps taken by the Government to boost R&D:

Establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 proposed the creation of NRF to provide funding for competitive, peer-reviewed research proposals from universities and higher education institutions.
IMPRINT initiative: The IMPacting Research, Innovation, and Technology (IMPRINT) scheme, launched in 2015, is a collaboration between IITs and IISc. It focuses on finding solutions to engineering challenges in ten selected technology domains.
Atal Tinkering Labs: Under the Atal Innovation Mission, Atal Tinkering Labs were established to foster creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills among students. These labs encourage innovation and nurture a design mindset.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Laws: India has enacted IPR laws to protect and promote intellectual property. It is a signatory to the WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and has measures in place to safeguard IPR.

Impediments faced by the R&D sector:

Low Funding: R&D funding in India is less than 1% of the GDP, posing a significant challenge to research initiatives.
Delay in Disbursal: Despite proposed allocations, there have been delays in disbursing funds for R&D projects, affecting their execution and progress.
Dependence on Grants: Many universities rely on external funding from government agencies, leading to a situation where research quality suffers due to inadequate financial support.
Lack of Skilled Personnel: The lack of expertise in emerging areas and the migration of talented individuals abroad (Brain drain) contribute to a shortage of skilled personnel in R&D.
IPR Violation: Violations of intellectual property rights discourage innovation and hinder the creation of unique and innovative solutions.
Outdated Curriculum and Pedagogy: Outdated educational curricula and teaching methods that prioritize rote learning over research hinder the development of R&D capabilities.
Fiscal Deficit: 9 % of fiscal deficits limit the allocation of funds to the R&D sector, as the focus is often on reducing the deficit.
Limited Private Sector Participation: Private sector contribution (33 % share )to R&D expenditure in India is relatively low compared to developed countries, which affects the overall investment in research.

Steps to boost R&D:

Increase Budgetary Allocation: Allocating 2 % of GDP to R&D, as recommended by the Economic Survey 2020-21, can provide the necessary resources for research activities.
Foster Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between public institutions, start-ups, and industries can leverage resources and expertise for joint R&D projects.
Utilize NRF Funding: The committed funds for the NRF can be used to address grant deficits in autonomous universities and institutions, ensuring adequate support for research.
Improve Information Sharing: Developing a virtual platform to share information on publicly funded projects can enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Enhance Training Opportunities: Providing opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral students to train in leading global laboratories can strengthen research capabilities. Simultaneously, incentivizing post-doctoral work in India can retain young scientists.
Strengthen IPR Protection: Adhering to the National IPR policy and enforcing IPR laws can boost investor confidence and attract more investment in R&D.
Promote Government-Industry-Academia Partnership: Encouraging collaboration between the government, industry, and academia can create a conducive ecosystem for R&D in various sectors.

The Need for NRF:

India has lagged behind countries like the US, UK, Japan, China, and South Korea in terms of research funding, researchers per million population, publications, and patents.

The NRF aims to address this gap and elevate Indian science to global excellence. It will strengthen the overall research ecosystem in the country and prioritize areas relevant to national development.
The NRF's formation is driven by the need to bridge disciplinary boundaries and promote evidence-informed, contextually relevant, and culturally compatible solutions to complex challenges.

Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:

Siloed approaches and discipline-specific funding channels have limited the potential for interdisciplinary research in India.
The NRF seeks to change this by supporting and promoting interdisciplinary research that is currently underfunded. For instance, transforming primary healthcare requires collaboration between public health, social and behavioral sciences, management, digital technologies, health economics, and biomedical sciences. The NRF will provide the necessary resources and mandate to facilitate such research.

Multi-Institutional Collaboration and Implementation:

To address India's development priorities, the NRF should fund both commissioned task force research and investigator-initiated collaborative research.
The promotion of multi-disciplinary research should begin early in scientific careers, with young researchers from different domains collaborating on problem-solving research.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can also be encouraged to undertake collaborative research projects and participate in interdisciplinary seminars. Additionally, existing government research agencies should align themselves with the NRF's mandate and contribute to the knowledge pool that NRF draws upon.

Engaging Stakeholders:

The success of the NRF depends on collaboration between academia, government, industry, and civil society organizations.
The private sector is viewed as a key partner, contributing both untied funds and project-specific sponsorship to support the NRF's initiatives.
State government's and local institutions' involvement is crucial to enhancing India's research capacity and conducting locally relevant scientific research.
Community participation through civil society organizations is also essential for identifying research priorities, conducting participatory research, and supporting implementation through community mobilization.

Conclusion:

The establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) in India marks a significant step towards energizing scientific research and accelerating the country's development agenda. The NRF's interdisciplinary approach, collaboration with stakeholders, and emphasis on research relevance will help address complex challenges and bridge the gaps in India's research ecosystem. By promoting multi-disciplinary research and multi-sectoral implementation, the NRF can contribute to India's scientific progress and position the country as a global leader in research and innovation.

Probable questions for mains exam-

Critically analyze the establishment of the NRF and its implications for energizing scientific research in India. Consider both the strengths and potential challenges in implementing the NRF's objectives. (10 Marks,150 Words)
Discuss India's performance in terms of research and development (R&D) funding compared to other countries. What are the factors contributing to India's lower R&D expenditure? (15 Marks,250 Words)