India’s research ecosystem is entering a decisive new phase with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) emerging as a catalyst for globally aligned, mission-driven and partnership-based research, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said at the ANRF Foundation Day Function held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The Foundation Day event was organised at Prithvi Bhawan, Ministry of Earth Sciences. The programme was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood; Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Prof. Abhay Karandikar; CEO, ANRF, Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman; senior officials from science departments, and representatives from academia, industry, and research institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh traced the journey of ANRF from its conception to its operational launch, describing it as a rare institutional reform shaped through sustained deliberations and wide-ranging consultations. He said the Foundation was designed after studying global research models while creating a framework suited to India’s scientific, social, and cultural context.
The Minister said ANRF differs from conventional research funding agencies by its emphasis on collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Along with science and industry, the Foundation brings social sciences, humanities and culture into its governance and programme design, reflecting the integrated nature of contemporary research and innovation.
Referring to recent global developments, Dr Jitendra Singh said the post-pandemic period has renewed international interest in life sciences and indigenous knowledge systems. India, he said, is uniquely positioned to contribute original research perspectives, including in areas where traditional knowledge complements modern science.
The Minister said ANRF is steadily moving towards a model where a significant share of research support is expected to come from non-government sources, including industry and philanthropy. Early response to the Foundation’s programmes, particularly the strong participation from the private sector, signals a gradual shift in India’s research culture towards outcome-oriented collaboration.
Dr Jitendra Singh also spoke about mission-mode initiatives being taken up under ANRF, including programmes on electric mobility, advanced materials, batteries, power technologies and artificial intelligence for science and engineering. These initiatives, he said, reflect a move away from ministry-bound approaches towards team-based national research efforts.
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, said ANRF has been conceived as a bridge between laboratories, universities, and industry, with the aim of taking science beyond publications and into society.
He said the Foundation places equal emphasis on research funding and building a culture of inquiry, especially at a time when technological capability has become central to national resilience, economic strength, and global standing. Prof. Sood said ANRF’s mission-mode programmes and private sector participation have the potential to reshape how research translates into real-world impact.
Concluding his address, the Minister said ANRF will play a central role in building an ecosystem that supports research, innovation, and technology translation, with long-term impact on India’s economic and technological growth. He said science and innovation will remain key pillars as India advances towards its national development goals.