PRIME MINISTER PROFESSORSHIP

NEWS

• Renowned scientist Dr Kishore M Paknikar has been selected as one of the first recipients of the Prime Minister Professorship, a new initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• He will be hosted at COEP Technological University, Pune, for five years.

WHAT IS THE PRIME MINISTER PROFESSORSHIP?

• A national-level initiative aimed at strengthening India’s higher education research ecosystem.
• Focuses on embedding experienced, research-active scientists in universities with strong teaching bases but weak research capacity.
• Seeks to decentralise research excellence beyond a few elite institutions.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Tenure: Up to 5 years with full-time relocation to host institution
• Financial Support:
  • Fellowship: ₹2.5 lakh per month
  • Research grant: ₹24 lakh per annum
  • Institutional overhead: ₹1 lakh per annum
• Coverage: 21 professors appointed across India in the first phase

How It Differs from Traditional Fellowships

• Not limited to funding individual research projects
• Emphasises:
  • Institution-building
  • Faculty mentoring
  • Long-term research leadership
• Targets systemic capacity creation rather than short-term outputs

Eligibility Criteria

• Superannuated/retired faculty or scientists from reputed institutions
• Overseas Indian scientists (NRI/PIO/OCI)
• Senior industry professionals or Professors of Practice
• Minimum age: 55 years (for industry/international professionals)
• Must demonstrate:
  • Strong research credentials
  • Active engagement in R&D
  • Commitment to mentoring

ABOUT ANUSANDHAN NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (ANRF)

• Established under the ANRF Act, 2023
• Apex body for strategic direction in:
  • Natural sciences
  • Engineering & technology
  • Health, agriculture, environment
  • Science–humanities interface
• Aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP)

Other ANRF Initiatives

• MAHA Programme: Mission-mode research in high-impact areas
  • Flagship: AI for Science & Engineering (AI-SE) with MeitY
• COE-STIIA: Centre for Science, Technology & Innovation Indicators
• MAHA-MedTech Mission: Affordable medical technologies with ICMR & Gates Foundation