SYLLABUS 

GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has selected 10 institutions under its new Convergence Research Centres of Excellence (CoE) programme to promote multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research addressing complex societal challenges.

More on the News

• The programme received 945 proposals from institutions across India, reflecting growing interest in interdisciplinary research and innovation ecosystems. 

• The selected CoEs will work on diverse themes such as archaeology, traditional knowledge systems, AI, digital humanities, labour markets, rural development, language studies, health, and sustainable MSME technologies. 

About the Convergence Research Centres of Excellence (CoE) Programme

• The programme seeks to establish “convergence” research centres that integrate Science, Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Society to address regional and national challenges through an interdisciplinary approach.

• Key Objectives:

• Promote deep integration of scientific knowledge with social science and humanities frameworks. 
• Encourage high-impact and transdisciplinary research aligned with societal priorities. 
• Foster long-term academic and institutional partnerships across disciplines. 
• Develop innovative and practical solutions for socioeconomic and sustainability challenges. 
• Strengthen collaboration among universities, IITs, NITs, research institutions, and private organisations. 

• Key Features:

• Each Centre may involve single or multiple institutions with interdisciplinary collaboration. 
• Projects can receive funding support up to ₹25 crore for a maximum duration of five years. 
• The Centres must be anchored in Social Sciences or Humanities departments while collaborating with Science, Engineering, Technology, and Policy experts. 
• Research areas include AI, robotics, digital humanities, rural livelihoods, archaeology, sustainability, language studies, and computational economics. 
• The programme follows a competitive funding model under ANRF. 

Significance

• Promotes Multidisciplinary Research: Encourages collaboration between science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences to solve complex societal problems. 

• Supports NEP 2020 Vision: Advances the National Education Policy’s emphasis on holistic, multidisciplinary education and research ecosystems. 

• Strengthens Innovation Ecosystem: Integrates AI, robotics, big data, and digital technologies with social understanding for practical and scalable solutions. 

• Boosts Research Capacity and Collaboration: Enhances partnerships among IITs, NITs, universities, colleges, and R&D institutions, improving India’s research infrastructure. 

• Contributes to Viksit Bharat 2047 and SDGs: Supports sustainable development, rural resilience, technological innovation, and inclusive socioeconomic growth. 

About Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• ANRF has been established with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) 2023 Act.

• The ANRF aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

• ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).

• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has been incorporated into ANRF.

• Institutional Framework:

• Administrative Department: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Governing Board: Eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.

                    President: Prime Minister (ex officio).

                    Vice-Presidents: Union Minister of Science & Technology and Union Minister of Education (ex officio).

• Executive Council: To monitor progress, ensure accountability, and be chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser.

Sources:
PIB
Indian Express
ANRFONLINE