India, Feb. 1 -- Lack of transparency persists in proposed institution's structure, governance

Despite approving a Bill to set up a National Research Foundation (NRF) to boost scientific advancement in the country just eight months earlier, the Union government was silent on allocation for the institution or progress made so far in the interim budget for 2024-25.

Expressing concern, scientists speaking with Down To Earth (DTE) highlight the need to move the proposed institution from the planning phase and set up an administrative structure.

First proposed under the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2020, the NRF aims to centralise scientific research funding in the country. It would replace the currently established governmental fundi...