Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 5: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday chaired a high-level review of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and urged the newly formed Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to facilitate the creation of medical research parks in medical colleges to boost clinical innovation and biotech entrepreneurship.

In a detailed review of ANRF’s future plans, the minister encouraged the foundation to explore bold ideas to accelerate India's science-driven growth. “Medical research parks can help transform our clinical innovation landscape and promote local biotech startups,” he stated.

He also backed ANRF’s plan to launch a nationwide digital platform a ‘cloud of research and innovation infrastructure’ aimed at offering deep-tech startups and academic researchers access to underutilised scientific equipment and laboratory facilities across India. This move is expected to democratise research, particularly for smaller institutions and innovators.

Dr Singh called for focused investment in ‘AI-for-Science,’ a programme designed to use artificial intelligence to accelerate discoveries in core scientific fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology through advanced machine learning tools.

Pushing for a stronger linkage between research and real-world application, the Minister reiterated the need to fast-track the transition from deep academic research to deep-tech products, emphasizing commercialization of patents and publications.

“India must move from isolated innovation to a more integrated and impact-driven ecosystem that brings together research, startups, and industry,” he said, urging ANRF to form partnerships with leading corporates and support venture-builder models.

He asked the ANRF to prioritise research areas of national importance including climate forecasting, aerospace, biochemistry, materials science, and drug discovery.

Highlighting the strategic importance of artificial intelligence, Dr Singh also stressed on developing an indigenous ‘India AI Open Stack’ a foundational AI model embedded with scientific and engineering capabilities tailored for Indian research needs.

Such initiatives, he noted, would not only enhance national capacity but also help position India as a global leader in AI-powered science and innovation.