Structural barriers have long impeded the development of a robust research environment, despite the presence of numerous institutions. Discuss how the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) seeks to address these structural challenges.

Structural barriers despite numerous institutions

(1) Overlapping mandate and jurisdictions hurt in accountability of bodies. (2) creates confusion, duplication of resources and expenditure wastage. (3) Lack of coordinating mechanism to forge meaningful dialogue across industry, govt, academia, etc. (4) Discourages pvt sector participation.

ANRF : 2023 statutory status

(1) chairmanship of Hon'ble PM and coordination by DOST (Dept of sci & tech) (2) creates a fund pool : To be from contributions of pvt + govt (3) Pool to channelized for sectors in need of funding (4) centralized coordination mechanism; but promotes decentralized decision making. (5) collaboration of domestic and foreign counterparts of cutting across domains → promotes intersectional coordination (6) Dissemination of Best practices Ex: IIT madras → startup born every 3 days IISc → coveted body for cross-cutting R&D

Shortcomings and what else needs to be prioritized:

I. Higher Education Reforms

• NEP 2020 has limited focus on forging R&D Ecosystem
• more focus on skilling of students required (NITI report)
• Curbing rural-urban divide
• Pvt-govt college divide

II. Improving IPR protection → Hurdle to tech transfer

III. Gender Equity → need more initiatives like CURIE

IV. Bureaucratic Red Tape & delay → Example: Patent Office → Overburdened → understaffed → Delayed patents