![A NEW ERA FOR INDIAN RESEARCH? A NEW ERA FOR INDIAN RESEARCH?](https://cdn.magzter.com/1335344221/1691155376/articles/nujsnyHgn1691574313748/A-NEW-ERA-FOR-INDIAN-RESEARCH.jpg)
"Centralisation is a concern"
C PRAJENDRAN
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES, BENGALURU
The Union Cabinet's approval for the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill has been received with mixed feelings. Mostly modelled after the US' National Science Foundation, NRF has been discussed and developed since the time of the Manmohan Singh government. It has now been approved with an outlay of 50,000 crore for the next five years, more than half of which is expected to be contributed by the private sector. This is a meagre amount, given that India's funding for scientific research is already much less than other BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa).
Besides, according to the Bill, the proposed entity will be administered by a governing body of "eminent" researchers and professionals, presided by the prime minister, and with an executive council chaired by the principal scientific advisor. This top-heavy management setup will likely lead to over-centralisation-as against the proclaimed intention of having a decentralised mechanism for science funding.
This cannot be overlooked in terms of the suspicion that a part of the fund is likely to be spent on belief-based traditional knowledge systems. There are also concerns about the criteria that would be used to select experts in the governing and executive bodies.
To unleash the full potential of Indian science and to improve the science-technology-innovation ecosystem, we require a vibrant and responsive financial system, which is autonomous, more participatory and less bureaucratic.
"First, close gaps in education"
ARINDAM GHOSH
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, BENGALURU
Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin August 01, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin August 01, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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