NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday chaired a comprehensive review of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), calling for bold new directions in science-driven growth, including AI-led innovations, deep tech StartUps and enhanced infrastructure sharing.

The meeting saw the Minister focus particularly on the evolving role of the newly constituted Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), as well as ongoing national missions like the Geospatial initiative.

Dr. Jitendra Singh held detailed discussions with Prof. Abhay Karandikar, ANRF's newly appointed CEO, Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman and other senior officials of the Ministry. During the meeting, Dr. Kalyanaraman presented an ambitious vision for the ANRF, promising catalytic funding mechanisms, deep integration with private industry, and strategic missions modeled on globally successful institutions such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and DARPA.

In a significant step aimed at boosting indigenous innovation, ANRF is preparing to launch a "Small Business Deep Tech Innovation" programme, which will empower startups and MSMEs to scale breakthrough technologies for real-world applications.

Recognising the need to better utilise existing national research infrastructure, the Minister reviewed ANRF's plan to create a "Cloud of Research and Innovation Infrastructure," a digital platform that would offer deep-tech startups and academic institutions access to underused scientific equipment and facilities across the country. This move is expected to democratise research capabilities, especially for smaller players who often lack access to high-end lab tools.

Among the major scientific thrusts discussed, the ANRF's "AI-for-Science" initiative took centre stage. The programme aims to leverage artificial intelligence to accelerate discoveries in physics, chemistry, and biology by using machine learning to model complex scientific equations.

The Minister directed the ANRF leadership to kickstart a few select projects under this initiative and demonstrate tangible outcomes in the near term. He also encouraged the CEO to engage with university Vice Chancellors to raise awareness about the ANRF mission and opportunities for collaboration.

In another key direction, Dr. Jitendra Singh asked the ANRF to explore the possibility of helping medical colleges establish their own medical research parks - a move that could boost clinical innovation and local biotech entrepreneurship. The Minister further underscored the importance of building an indigenous "India AI Open Stack" - a foundational AI architecture embedded with science and engineering models tailored for Indian researchers. This, he noted, could position India as a global frontrunner in AI-driven scientific applications.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also revisited the concept of "deep science-to-deep tech acceleration," urging the ANRF to focus on converting academic research - such as publications and patents - into commercial technologies. He emphasized the need for partnerships with top-tier industry players and the creation of venture-builder models to ensure that discoveries don't remain confined to laboratories.

The Minister concluded by asking the ANRF to prioritise key areas of national relevance, including climate forecasting, material science, aerospace, biochemistry, and drug development. He stressed that the time has come for India to move from isolated innovation to a more integrated, impact-driven ecosystem that links research, startups, and industry.