Parliament Question: India Strengthens R&D Ecosystem Through New Institutional and Mission-Mode Initiatives
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Ministry of Science & Technology | Department of Science and Technology (DST) | Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on January 29, 2026, the Minister of State for Science and Technology clarified that the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) – 2020 remained a draft document with no direct budget allocation. However, the government has moved forward with a series of massive institutional and mission-mode initiatives to strengthen the country’s R&D ecosystem. Central to this is the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) with a budgetary provision of ₹14,000 crore, alongside the launch of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, featuring a financial pool of ₹1 lakh crore over six years.
Expansion of National Research Capabilities
India’s research infrastructure has seen significant growth, transitioning from pure knowledge generation to innovation-led economic contributors.
Laboratory Network: As per the Directory of R&D Institutions 2025, there are 622 national laboratories and research institutions across sectors including science, agriculture, medicine, defense, and space.
Innovation Output: Between 2021-22 and 2022-23, 233 institutes filed 1,622 patents, with 1,356 granted. Additionally, 1,839 technologies were transferred, and over 1,000 new products were introduced during this period.
Mission Leadership: National labs are now leading mission-mode projects such as the Deep Ocean Exploration Mission, the National Quantum Mission (outlay: ₹6,003.65 crore), and the AI Mission.
Global Standings and Entrepreneurship Support
The government’s focus on international collaboration and indigenous development has markedly improved India’s global scientific position. India now ranks 3rd globally in research publications and total number of startups, and 38th in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, a jump from 81st in 2015. To sustain this momentum, programs like NIDHI, iDEX, and TIDE 2.0 have been implemented to foster technology-based entrepreneurship within academic and research institutions, aligning R&D activities with national priorities of self-reliance and job creation.
What is the “Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)” and its primary mandate? The ANRF is a high-level statutory body established to provide strategic direction for scientific research in India. Unlike previous funding bodies, the ANRF is designed to foster a culture of research across universities, colleges, and research institutions by providing a unified funding mechanism. With a ₹14,000 crore government provision and a mandate to source additional non-governmental funds, its primary goal is to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, ensuring that India’s scientific output translates into tangible technological solutions and economic growth.
Policy Relevance
The 2026 update signals a transition toward structured, high-value R&D investments over general policy frameworks.
Large-Scale Financial Commitment: The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme represents an unprecedented scale of investment, shifting the policy focus toward deep-tech and long-term innovation.
Commercialization Focus: The strengthening of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and structured licensing models indicates a move toward making national laboratories self-sustaining and commercially relevant.
Global Benchmarking: India’s rise to 38th in the GII underscores the success of integrating R&D with start-up ecosystems, making the country an attractive destination for global R&D partnerships.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the ANRF specifically incentivize private sector R&D spending to match its ₹14,000 crore public funding pool to achieve a truly collaborative innovation ecosystem?
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