Last Updated: 20th May 2026
India’s research and innovation ecosystem is undergoing a significant policy transition with the expansion of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the rollout of the Centre’s ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. Established under the ANRF Act, 2023, the foundation replaced the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and now serves as the country’s primary institution for research funding and scientific coordination.
The policy initiatives are aimed at strengthening academic research, improving collaboration between universities and industry, and supporting emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics and climate technology. Parallel efforts under the IndiaAI Mission are also focused on expanding access to computing infrastructure for startups and research institutions.
The developments come as India seeks to improve long-term research capacity and increase private-sector participation in scientific innovation. At the same time, discussions around governance, transparency and intellectual property regulation continue within academic and policy communities.
ANRF Structure and Funding Framework
The ANRF functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Following the enactment of the ANRF Act, 2023, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of DST, was appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of the foundation through official government notifications.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the inaugural ANRF Governing Body meeting in September 2025. According to official government briefings, discussions focused on reducing administrative barriers in research and improving coordination through a proposed national R&D dashboard.
ANRF Financial Overview
|
Component |
Details |
|
Governing Law |
ANRF Act, 2023 |
|
Replaced Institution |
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) |
|
Proposed Five-Year Budget Framework |
₹50,000 crore |
|
Government Budgetary Provision |
₹14,000 crore |
|
Expected External Funding |
₹36,000 crore |
|
FY 2024–25 Revised Estimate |
₹966 crore |
|
Reported Utilisation |
₹721 crore |
Source Context: Financial figures are based on parliamentary discussions, PIB releases and ANRF-related policy documents reviewed in May 2026.
A significant portion of the proposed funding framework is expected to come through CSR contributions, public sector enterprises, philanthropic organisations and international collaborations.
₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme on July 1, 2026, according to PIB-linked government updates and policy briefings.
Key Features of the RDI Scheme
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Scheme Type |
Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) |
|
Financial Mechanism |
Special Purpose Fund |
|
Support Structure |
Interest-free loans |
|
Repayment Timeline |
Up to 50 years |
|
Focus Areas |
AI, robotics, biotechnology, climate technology, medical devices, digital economy |
|
Main Objective |
Increase long-term private-sector R&D participation |
The financing structure is intended to support sectors where research and commercial development may require extended timelines.
PAIR and Research Collaboration Programmes
The ANRF has introduced programmes intended to improve collaboration between established institutions and emerging universities.
The Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme follows a hub-and-spoke model in which leading institutions mentor developing academic centres. Convergence Research Centres of Excellence (CoEs) are similarly expected to support interdisciplinary work involving STEM, humanities and social sciences.
Institutions Referenced Under ANRF Programmes
|
Programme |
Institutions Mentioned |
|
Convergence CoEs |
IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, IIM Jammu, NIT Agartala |
|
PAIR Hub Example |
NIT Rourkela |
|
Example Research Network |
PRATHAME led by IIT Hyderabad |
Official programme records, including FILE NO. ANRF/PAIR/2025/000007/PAIR-B, stated that the PRATHAME network received a recurring grant of ₹2.3 crore for collaborative research activities.
IndiaAI Mission and GPU Infrastructure
The IndiaAI Mission has become a major component of India’s broader technology policy framework. Under the programme, startups and researchers are being offered subsidised access to GPU infrastructure for AI model development.
IndiaAI Infrastructure Rollout
|
Component |
Status |
|
Subsidised GPU Access |
Reportedly below $1 per hour |
|
GPU Commitments Secured |
40,535 GPUs |
|
Additional Procurement |
25,000 GPUs under process |
|
Infrastructure Providers |
Yotta Data Services, E2E Networks, NxtGen Cloud Technologies |
Statistics Context: GPU figures were reported during 2026 procurement updates linked to MeitY announcements and related media coverage reviewed in May 2026.
According to media reports published during 2026, discussions regarding possible equity-sharing arrangements between selected AI startups and the government have generated debate among investors and technology stakeholders. Delays in finalising formal agreements with some startups have also been reported.
SARAL AI Tool for Science Communication
The ANRF has also guided the development of SARAL (Simplified and Automated Research Amplification and Learning), an AI-powered platform developed by IIIT Hyderabad.
The platform converts research papers into summaries, presentations, podcasts and visual explainers. It currently supports 11 Indian languages and is intended to improve accessibility to scientific research for wider audiences.
Policy Debate and Governance Concerns
The expansion of ANRF and related innovation programmes has generated wider discussion within academic and policy communities.
Some researchers and legal experts have raised concerns regarding dependence on CSR and private-sector funding, arguing that it could influence long-term research priorities. Others have questioned transparency in grant allocation and institutional autonomy.
Supporters of the reforms, however, argue that stronger collaboration between academia and industry is necessary to improve India’s research capacity in emerging technologies.
Timeline and Verification Context
|
Event |
Status |
|
ANRF Act Enacted |
Confirmed – 2023 |
|
ANRF Governing Body Meeting |
Confirmed – September 2025 |
|
RDI Scheme Approval |
Confirmed – July 1, 2026 |
|
India-AI Impact Summit |
Confirmed – February 2026 |
|
Additional GPU Procurement |
Ongoing / Timeline Not Officially Confirmed |
Fraud and Verification Advisory
Readers should verify programme details only through official ANRF, DST, MeitY and PIB portals. Applicants and institutions should avoid sharing OTPs, passwords, banking information or research documents with unauthorised individuals or third-party agents.
Government agencies do not request unofficial payments for approvals or funding access. Users are advised to cross-check all circulars, notification references and portal announcements before relying on application-related information.
Official Sources Referenced
- ANRF Act, 2023
- PIB releases related to ANRF and the RDI Scheme
- Department of Science and Technology (DST) updates
- MeitY IndiaAI Mission announcements
- FILE NO. ANRF/PAIR/2025/000007/PAIR-B
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available policy documents, official programme material, government references and media reports available as of May 2026. Programme structures, financial allocations, implementation timelines and institutional participation may change through future notifications or administrative decisions. Official government notifications and circulars will take precedence over information presented in this article.