New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Communications and the Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, announced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that India is making significant strides with the Bharat 6G Alliance and enhancing its research ecosystem via the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.

Scindia emphasized that under the guidance of PM Modi, the Bharat 6G Alliance has grown tremendously, with India's goal to secure nearly 10 percent of the global 6G patents, having already contributed approximately 4,000 patents.

India’s proposal for universal connectivity has garnered acceptance from international organizations, including the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Initially comprising 14 institutions, the Bharat 6G Alliance has now expanded to 85. Seven specialized working groups have been formed to focus on areas such as spectrum, devices, technology and components, alliances, green sustainability, outreach, and 6G use cases.

Scindia pointed out that the ministry conducts a quarterly review of all seven working groups to ensure continuous progress.

In response to an inquiry, he mentioned that the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established under PM Modi's leadership and became operational in February 2024, aiming to invigorate innovation and research within the country.

The foundation is governed by a Governing Council and an Executive Council to facilitate effective and transparent decision-making.

ANRF seeks to raise Rs 50,000 crore in funds from 2023 to 2028, with a budgetary allocation of Rs 14,000 crore from the Central Government, while the remainder will be sourced from donations from various entities, including public and private sectors, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and international bodies.

Further elaborating, Scindia indicated that this budgetary provision is designated to support crucial programs aimed at promoting advanced research, including initiatives like the Mission for Advancement in High Impact Areas, EV Mission, 2D Innovation Hub, MedTech Mission, AI for Science and Engineering, and the CRM Research Programme.

Moreover, several grant opportunities such as the Advanced Research Grant, Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant, and Inclusivity Research Grant have been launched to enhance participation in research and innovation.

The government has also introduced the Rs 1.0 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to provide sustained financial support for research and innovation in vital and emerging technology sectors that are essential for national growth and global competitiveness.

The Department of Science and Technology serves as the nodal department for the implementation of the RDI Scheme.

The minister added that this scheme aims to stimulate private sector investment in research and development, supporting innovation in key areas such as energy security and climate action, deep technologies like quantum computing, robotics, and space technologies, as well as artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies, alongside biotechnology and medical devices.