The government is accelerating efforts to make scientific research more accessible and impactful, with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) developing an AI-powered platform, ‘SARAL AI’, to translate complex research into simple, engaging content for the public.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress and future roadmap of Anusandhan National Research Foundation, emphasising a shift towards mission-mode research and stronger societal outcomes.
Highlighting the need to bridge the gap between science and society, the minister said SARAL AI will convert technical research papers and innovations into easy-to-understand formats such as podcasts, short videos, and social media posts in 18 Indian languages. The initiative aims to widen public engagement and awareness of scientific advancements.
ANRF is also rolling out ‘MAHA’ (Mission for Advancement in High Impact Areas) programmes—large-scale, collaborative initiatives involving academia, industry, and government—to drive innovation in priority sectors. A new MAHA programme on “Leapfrog Demonstrators for Societal Innovation” will focus on developing scalable solutions to challenges like climate change, pollution, disaster management, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture.
To support researchers, ANRF has deployed nodal officers across nearly 250 institutions, simplifying administrative processes and improving project execution. The foundation has also evaluated around 20,000 research proposals in recent months, reflecting growing participation in India’s research ecosystem.
In addition, initiatives such as the PMECRG Lightning Talk Series and dedicated digital communication channels aim to boost visibility, especially for early-career researchers.
The review underscored ANRF’s strategy of focusing on high-impact programmes with national relevance while ensuring faster translation of research into real-world applications and broader dissemination of knowledge for public benefit.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
