Professor Abhay Karandikar, a member of NITI Aayog and former secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, announced that state public and private universities will be included in the next call for research and development (R&D) by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). This announcement was made during the India Research & Impact Summit (IRIS) 2026, highlighting efforts to strengthen India's research ecosystem and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Next ANRF call will include state and private universities.
- Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund to boost deep-tech startups and corporate R&D.
- Sectoral interventions to focus research on national priorities.
- Addressing challenges of sustainability, resource constraints, and quality of life by 2047.
- Improving industry-academia linkages to translate research into practical technologies.
What is the role of state and private universities in ANRF’s next R&D call?
Professor Karandikar explained that the upcoming ANRF call, expected soon, will expand participation to include state public and private universities. This inclusion supports the Hub-and-Spoke model, where leading research institutions act as mentors to other universities, fostering collaboration and strengthening research capabilities nationwide.
How is private sector investment in research being addressed?
Despite having around two lakh startups in India, only about 20,000 are technology startups, and fewer than 7,000 are deep-tech startups. Private sector spending on R&D remains low due to the long development timelines and the need for patient capital. To overcome this, the government established a Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund. This fund can invest as a limited partner in alternative investment funds, provide long-term debt to listed companies, and offer low-interest loans to catalyze private investment in deep-tech research.
What are sectoral interventions in research?
Sectoral interventions involve directing government funding toward research areas that align with national priorities. While academics typically have freedom to choose their research topics, focusing on critical areas such as climate change, resource management, and healthcare ensures that research contributes to solving pressing challenges facing India.
What are the major challenges India faces in research and development?
Karandikar identified three broad challenges India must address to become a developed economy by 2047:
- Sustainability and fragility: Issues like climate change and geopolitical shifts threaten long-term prosperity.
- Resource constraints: Scarcity of food, water, materials, and minerals requires innovative solutions.
- Quality of life: Improving healthcare, urban living, transportation, and digital connectivity is essential.
How can research be translated into practical technologies?
One challenge is that technology research is concentrated in a few universities and often does not lead to practical solutions. Weak industry-academia linkages, due to limited industry R&D spending, hinder technology transfer. The government’s institutional and sectoral interventions aim to strengthen these connections, enabling academia to focus on research that addresses both national and global challenges.
How is artificial intelligence impacting research and education?
Karandikar noted that artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming teaching, education, and research itself, including scientific discovery. AI’s influence extends beyond science and engineering, affecting policy research and data-driven decision-making, which are crucial in today’s rapidly evolving research landscape.
In summary, the inclusion of state and private universities in ANRF’s upcoming R&D call, combined with increased funding and focused sectoral interventions, aims to build a robust research ecosystem in India. This ecosystem will address critical challenges and contribute to the country’s development goals by 2047.
