Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) & RDI Fund: Complete Analysis for Competitive Exams
For a quick exam revision, here is a concise overview of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the key details of the RDI Fund launch.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Quick Summary
| Feature | Details |
| Topic | Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) |
| New Launch | RDI Fund (Research, Development & Innovation) Call |
| Launch Date | 5 February 2026 |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Science & Technology (DST) |
| Statutory Basis | ANRF Act, 2023 (Replaced SERB Act) |
| Governing Head | Prime Minister of India (President of Board) |
| Key Objective | Promote private sector participation & deep-tech research |
| Exam Relevance | Science & Tech (Mains), Govt Schemes (Prelims) |
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) & The New RDI Fund: Deep Dive for UPSC & SSC Current Affairs
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) & The New RDI Fund: Deep Dive for UPSC & SSC Current Affairs
In the realm of daily current affairs, few developments hold as much weight for India’s long-term growth as the structural transformation of its research ecosystem. On February 5, 2026, a significant milestone was achieved with the launch of the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). For aspirants of UPSC, SSC, and Banking exams, understanding the ANRF is not just about knowing a news headline; it is about grasping the government’s strategic shift toward deep-tech and private sector participation in science. This deep-dive analysis explores the RDI Fund, the statutory backing of the ANRF, and its critical relevance for general knowledge (GK) and upcoming exams. To see how this fits into the broader news cycle, check our main Daily Current Affairs for 5 February 2026 pillar post.
What Is the News? (In Brief)
On February 5, 2026, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, officially launched the first open call for proposals under the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund. This fund acts as the financial engine of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which was operationalized to steer research and innovation in the country.
The launch event, held in New Delhi, emphasized the government’s “whole-of-science” approach. The RDI Fund is designed specifically to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application. It invites proposals from startups, MSMEs, and large industrial enterprises to collaborate with academic institutions on high-risk, high-reward technologies.
Dr. Singh highlighted that this fund marks a departure from traditional grant-giving models. Instead of solely funding government labs, the RDI Fund prioritizes projects where the private sector contributes significantly, ensuring that research leads to tangible market-ready products. This move aligns with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision, aiming to reduce dependency on imported technology in critical sectors like clean energy, semiconductors, and bio-manufacturing.
Background & Static GK Linkage
To master general knowledge regarding this topic, aspirants must understand the legislative backbone of the ANRF.
The ANRF Act, 2023
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established through an Act of Parliament—the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023. This Act effectively repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Act, 2008, dissolving the SERB and subsuming its functions into the broader ANRF.
Objective and Vision
The primary goal of the ANRF is to seed, grow, and facilitate research at academic institutions, particularly at universities and colleges where research infrastructure has historically been weak. Unlike SERB, which focused largely on academic grants, ANRF has a broader mandate to foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government departments.
Governance Structure (Static GK)
- President: The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio President of the Governing Board.
- Vice-Presidents: The Union Minister of Science & Technology and the Union Minister of Education.
- Nodal Ministry: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
This high-level structure indicates the strategic importance the state places on R&D, moving it from a departmental affair to a national priority.
Key Features of the RDI Fund
The newly launched RDI Fund has distinct features that differentiate it from previous science funding schemes.
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model:The core philosophy of the ANRF is to tap into private sector resources. The RDI Fund is structured so that for every rupee the government contributes, the private sector is encouraged to contribute a matching or significant amount. The estimated corpus of ANRF (over 5 years) is ₹50,000 crore, out of which nearly ₹36,000 crore is expected to come from the non-government sector.
- Focus on ‘Translation’ Research:The fund specifically targets “translational research”—science that moves out of the lab and into the market. It supports projects in Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 to 7, which is often the “valley of death” where startups fail due to lack of capital.
- Deep-Tech Priority Areas:The first call for proposals focuses on critical verticals:
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Mobility
- Advanced Materials
- Smart Infrastructure
- Solar Cells and Green Hydrogen
- Health-Tech and Genomics
- Support for State Universities:A unique provision is the mandate to uplift state universities. The RDI Fund includes special operational grants to upgrade laboratories in Tier-2 and Tier-3 city universities, democratizing access to high-end science.
Why Is This Important for Competitive Exams?
Understanding the RDI Fund and ANRF is crucial for multiple stages of examination:
- Prelims (UPSC/State PSC):
- Questions often target the nodal ministry, the composition of the Governing Board (PM as President), and the Act under which a body is formed.
- Confusion points: Aspirants might confuse ANRF with the NITI Aayog or the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office. Remember, it is a statutory body replacing SERB.
- Mains (GS Paper III – Science & Tech / Economy):
- Topics: “Indigenization of technology,” “Investment models,” and “Mobilization of resources.”
- You can cite the ANRF/RDI Fund as a government initiative to fix India’s low R&D expenditure (which has stagnated around 0.65% of GDP).
- Banking & Economy Exams:
- Questions may focus on the financial outlay (₹50,000 crore target) or the specific focus on MSMEs and Startups.
- The “PPP model” in research is a key economic keyword.
- Interview:
- A common question: “Why does India lag in innovation despite having premier institutes like IITs?”
- Answer: Lack of industry-academia linkage. The ANRF RDI Fund is the specific policy solution to this problem.
Previous Year Questions / Trends
- UPSC CSE 2018: Asked about the “Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).”
- UPSC CSE 2020: Asked about the “National Policy on Electronics.”
- Trend: The commission frequently asks about new statutory bodies or major shifts in funding mechanisms (e.g., from pure grants to viability gap funding or PPP).
- Prediction: Expect a statement-based question:
- ANRF is a constitutional body. (False, Statutory).
- It is chaired by the Minister of Science & Technology. (False, PM).
- It aims to integrate private sector funding into R&D. (True).
Exam-Oriented MCQs
Test your understanding of this topic with these current affairs mcq:
Q1. The ‘Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund’, recently seen in the news, operates under which statutory body?
A) Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
B) NITI Aayog
C) Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
D) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The RDI Fund was launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh as a core financial instrument of the ANRF to foster industry-academia collaboration.
Q2. Who is the ex-officio President of the Governing Board of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?
A) Union Minister of Science & Technology
B) Prime Minister of India
C) Principal Scientific Adviser
D) Union Minister of Education
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: As per the ANRF Act 2023, the Prime Minister acts as the President of the Governing Board, highlighting the strategic importance of the body.
Q3. The ANRF Act, 2023, repealed and replaced which of the following existing acts?
A) The University Grants Commission Act, 1956
B) The Technology Development Board Act, 1995
C) The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Act, 2008
D) The CSIR Act, 1942
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The ANRF subsumed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), repealing the 2008 Act.
Q4. A unique feature of the ANRF’s financial model is its heavy reliance on:
A) 100% Budgetary Support from the Centre
B) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) only
C) Private Sector Contribution (Non-Government sources)
D) World Bank Loans
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The ANRF targets a corpus where a majority (approx. ₹36,000 Cr out of ₹50,000 Cr) is expected to come from non-government/private sources.
Q5. The RDI Fund primarily aims to bridge the gap between:
A) Rural and Urban education
B) Academic research and Industrial application
C) Software and Hardware sectors
D) Space and Defence research
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The fund is designed for “Translational Research,” ensuring that academic prototypes are developed into market-ready industrial products.
One-Line Facts for Revision
- Full Form: ANRF stands for Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
- Launch Date of RDI Fund Call: February 5, 2026.
- Statutory Status: Created by the ANRF Act, 2023.
- Predecessor: Replaced the SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board).
- Primary Focus: Deep-tech, translational research, and private sector participation.
- Nodal Department: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- Vision: To improve India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD), currently <0.7% of GDP.
Linkage With Daily Current Affairs
This topic was the Lead National Story in our daily update. While the daily post provided a summary of the launch, this spoke post explains the statutory nature (ANRF Act) and the economic implications (PPP model) that are critical for Main exam answers. To revise other top stories like the expiry of the New START Treaty or the PLASTINDIA exhibition, revisit the Daily Current Affairs Pillar Post.
Download & Practice Section
To retain these technical details, we recommend downloading the current affairs pdf which includes this deep-dive analysis. Additionally, you can test your retention by attempting our dedicated quiz questions section, which features more complex scenario-based MCQs on the ANRF and science policy.
Conclusion
The launch of the RDI Fund on February 5, 2026, is not just a funding announcement; it is a paradigm shift in how India approaches science. By moving from a “grant-based” to a “partnership-based” model under the ANRF, the government is trying to emulate successful global research ecosystems. For aspirants, this topic is a goldmine for general knowledge and Mains analysis. Ensure you revise the distinction between ANRF and SERB, and the role of the Prime Minister in this architecture, to score well in upcoming exams.
FAQs
1. What is the ANRF mentioned in daily current affairs?
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a statutory body established to fund, coordinate, and promote research in India, replacing the SERB.
2. How is the RDI Fund different from previous funds?
The RDI Fund emphasizes “translational research” and mandates private sector participation (PPP model), whereas previous funds were largely government grants.
3. Is the ANRF a constitutional body?
No, it is a statutory body established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023.
4. Where can I find current affairs mcq on ANRF?
You can find specific MCQs on ANRF and other science policies in our [MCQ archive] section updated daily.
5. What is the budget of the ANRF?
The envisaged corpus is approximately ₹50,000 crore over five years, with a significant portion expected from the private sector.
6. Why is this topic important for GK?
It relates to the country’s highest research body headed by the Prime Minister, making it a high-priority topic for general knowledge papers.
7. Does the RDI Fund support startups?
Yes, the fund explicitly invites proposals from startups and MSMEs to collaborate with research institutes.
8. Can I get a current affairs pdf of this topic?
Yes, a downloadable current affairs pdf covering the ANRF deep dive is available at the end of this article.
9. Which ministry oversees the ANRF?
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is the nodal department, but the Governing Board is chaired by the PM.
10. What is the role of the RDI Fund in Atmanirbhar Bharat?
It aims to foster indigenous technology development in critical sectors like semiconductors and green energy, reducing import reliance.
