PM Modi Chairs First ANRF Meeting, Outlines Vision for India's Science and Technology Growth

PM Modi also praised Atal Tinkering Labs and proposed grading them to enhance their performance.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the inaugural meeting of the Governing Board of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, to discuss India's Science and Technology landscape and revamp research and development (R&D) programs. He emphasized setting ambitious targets and conducting pathbreaking research to address global challenges with localized solutions tailored to Indian needs.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of identifying and removing obstacles in India's research ecosystem and suggested creating a dashboard for tracking ongoing R&D efforts. He highlighted the significance of scientific resource utilization and assured the scientific community of full support, including necessary resources.

PM Modi also praised Atal Tinkering Labs and proposed grading them to enhance their performance. He discussed research priorities in fields such as environmental solutions, electric vehicle battery ingredients, and lab-grown diamonds.

The Governing Body decided to launch a hub-and-spoke mentorship program, connecting universities with nascent research capacities to top-tier institutions. Strategic areas of intervention include positioning India globally in key sectors, aligning R&D with national priorities, promoting inclusive growth, and encouraging industry-aligned translational research.

Priority areas for mission-mode research include Electric Vehicle mobility, Advanced Materials, Solar Cells, Smart Infrastructure, Health & Medical Technology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Photonics. The initiatives will drive India toward the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The meeting also underscored the need for interdisciplinary research in humanities and social sciences, supported by flexible funding mechanisms, and alignment with the long-term goals of Viksit Bharat 2047. The attendees included Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and other distinguished global academics and industry leaders.