As India accelerates into its Techade, a term Prime Minister Narendra Modi coined to signify a decade of profound technological advancement, one initiative stands poised to cement the country’s place among global scientific leaders—the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
In his inaugural address at the 106th session of the Indian Science Congress in Punjab in 2019, Modi linked the slogans ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ and Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ‘Jai Vigyan’ with ‘Jai Anusandhan’, and issued a clarion call for a new era of scientific research and development. This strategic manoeuvre to anchor India’s ambition of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, within the milieu of science and technology underscores the significance Modi has attached to transforming India into a knowledge economy.
India’s scientific prowess dates back centuries, from the innovations of Aryabhata and the mathematical brilliance of Bhaskaracharya to the modern breakthroughs of CV Raman and Satyendra Nath Bose. However, the establishment of the ANRF is more than just an extension of that legacy; it’s a pivotal moment of transformation that seeks to rescue science and technology research from the clutches of mendacity and limitations of ambition and imagination. By placing science, technology, and innovation at the core of national policy, the ANRF aligns with Modi’s broader efforts, encapsulated in his vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), and the Digital India and Make in India initiatives.
The ANRF as envisaged in India goes beyond similar bodies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States. While the NSF’s success is in funding through an ecosystem that fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government, the ANRF aspires to be a platform that not only elevates scientific inquiry but locates it firmly within the context of socio-economic development rooted in Indian values. India’s ambition with ANRF doesn’t stop at domestic achievements.
The foundation is expected to serve as a force multiplier for ongoing scientific partnerships, such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) with the US and the Quad’s focus on emerging technologies. As the world witnesses growing geopolitical shifts, including China’s dominance in science and technology through its sheer volume of patents and research papers, the ANRF is expected to position India as a strategic player in the global tech ecosystem. With its thriving partnerships, India can help create counterbalances to China’s influence, while driving innovation in domains like artificial intelligence, 6G, semiconductors, sustainable energy, and more.
The ANRF should also bolster India’s international engagements bilaterally and through multilateral platforms ensuring that technology diplomacy plays a central role in India’s global strategy. Through these alliances, India can leverage its massive scientific diaspora and talent pool, focusing not only on developing ground-breaking technologies but also on enhancing its leadership role in international scientific fora.
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India as a scientific powerhouse
One of the key areas the ANRF will target is green technology, particularly hydrogen as a clean energy source. In a world transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, hydrogen has emerged as the fuel of the future. With India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission already underway, ANRF’s research in this area will be pivotal in making the country a global leader in green energy.
Modi’s vision for India isn’t just about competing with other nations—it’s about leading from the front in key domains of global relevance. Quantum computing and hydrogen energy are two such areas where India, through ANRF, can define the course of future technological and environmental revolutions. By taking a science-led approach to these challenges, India will not only address its energy needs but also offer sustainable solutions to the global energy crisis.
Perhaps the most far-reaching impact of the ANRF will be its role in fostering the next generation of Indian scientists, technocrats, and innovators. India has long been the talent supplier to the world’s technology giants, with Indian-origin CEOs leading companies like Google, Microsoft, and Adobe. However, ANRF will shift the focus inward, creating opportunities for India’s brightest minds to innovate at home. Through this foundation, India can create an environment that encourages both homegrown research and the return of scientific talent from abroad, reversing the brain drain. By investing in fundamental research, building state-of-the-art laboratories, and providing competitive grants, ANRF’s efforts at nurturing scientific talent within India should bear fruit in the decades to come.
By 2047, when India celebrates its centenary of Independence, the impact of ANRF should be clear. India’s self-reliant approach to science and technology will have transformed the nation into a global leader in critical emerging technologies. Moreover, the foundation would have ensured that scientific innovation is deeply embedded in the national consciousness, resonating with the larger public as a driver of prosperity and development. Modi’s strategic bet on ANRF symbolises a nation moving from merely consuming technologies to creating them, from importing scientific knowledge to exporting cutting-edge innovations. It is a model that doesn’t just look at economic growth in the traditional sense but elevates technological sovereignty as the key to India’s future.
The ANRF, a child of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold vision, will play a pivotal role in India’s rise as a scientific powerhouse in the 21st century. It connects the dots between the past achievements of Indian scientists and the future aspirations of a nation hungry for innovation. ANRF’s ambitions must go beyond imagining itself as a mere institution; but as the crucible where India’s scientific future will be forged, shaping not just a Techade but a tech century for India and the world. In PM Modi’s words, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, and now, Jai Anusandhan will together propel India into a future of scientific excellence, to establish a legacy of innovation, resilience, and leadership that will make the greatest of Indian scientific minds from Sushruta to Madhava and Visvesvaraya to APJ Abdul Kalam very proud.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati is former CEO of Prasar Bharati, India’s govt-owned public broadcaster. He tweets @shashidigital. Views are personal.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)