Date: 2026-04-13Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
ANRF developing AI-based platform ‘SARAL AI’ to convert complex research publications into simplified rich social media content in many Indian languages: Dr Jitendra Singh
**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on April 13, 2026, focusing on mission-mode research and societal impact. Key highlights include the development of the 'SARAL AI' platform for multilingual science communication and the launch of 'MAHA' programs for high-impact innovation. The meeting established a roadmap to bridge the gap between scientific research and public accessibility while simplifying administrative processes for researchers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Technological Innovations for Science Communication**
* **SARAL AI Platform:** ANRF is developing an AI-based platform to convert complex research and patents into simple social media content, podcasts, and videos.
* **Multilingual Outreach:** Content will be produced in 18 Indian languages to ensure wider dissemination of scientific knowledge.
* **Digital Channels:** Launch of dedicated WhatsApp and Arattai channels to provide the research community with real-time updates and information.
**Strategic Mission-Mode Programs**
* **MAHA Initiatives:** The 'Mission for Advancement in High Impact Areas' (MAHA) brings together academia, industry, and government to accelerate research in priority sectors.
* **Societal Innovation:** A specific MAHA program, “Leapfrog Demonstrators for Societal Innovation,” will target challenges such as pollution, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and community health.
* **Flagship Grants:** The foundation has evaluated nearly 20,000 applications in four months under schemes like the Advanced Research Grant (ARG) and the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM-ECRG).
**Administrative and Research Support**
* **Ease of Research:** Nodal officers have been deployed in approximately 250 institutions to support Principal Investigators and reduce administrative burdens.
* **Researcher Engagement:** Launch of the "ANRF PMECRG Lightning Talk Series" to allow researchers to share their work in concise, engaging formats.
* **Support for Young Talent:** Active promotion of early-career researchers through webinars and digital platform amplification.
**Impact Analysis**
**Researchers and Principal Investigators**
**Impact**
They benefit from a significant reduction in administrative hurdles and gain new platforms (like the Lightning Talk Series) to increase the visibility of their work.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with newly appointed nodal officers at their respective institutions and utilize ANRF digital channels for real-time updates.
**General Public / Citizens**
**Impact**
Scientific knowledge becomes more accessible and relevant through simplified content delivered in 18 local languages.
**Action Required**
Engage with scientific content through social media, podcasts, and short videos generated by the SARAL AI platform.
**Academic and Research Institutions**
**Impact**
Institutions receive structured support through the deployment of nodal officers to ensure smoother execution of research projects.
**Action Required**
Facilitate the integration of nodal officers and encourage researchers to participate in mission-mode 'MAHA' programs and high-impact research grants.
Key Entities Referenced
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): The apex body responsible for steering India's research ecosystem with a focus on mission-mode programs and bridging the gap between science and society.
SARAL AI: An AI-based platform developed to convert complex research publications and patents into simplified, multi-format content in 18 Indian languages.
MAHA (Mission for Advancement in High Impact Areas): A framework for large-scale, mission-driven initiatives designed to deliver high-impact outcomes in priority sectors like climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM-ECRG): A flagship horizontal funding scheme targeted at supporting and encouraging young researchers within India's research ecosystem.
Advanced Research Grant (ARG): A major flagship research funding scheme administered by the ANRF to support high-level scientific inquiry.
Ministry of Science & Technology
ANRF developing AI-based platform ‘SARAL AI’
to convert complex research publications into
simplified rich social media content in many
Indian languages: Dr Jitendra Singh
Minister reviews progress and future roadmap of the
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF),
Emphasises Mission-Mode Research and Societal impact of
Science
ANRF to Launch ‘MAHA’ Leapfrog Demonstrators for Societal
Innovation Mission-Mode Program delivering impact of
Science for Society: Dr. Jitendra Singh
ANRF Deploys Nodal Officers in 250 Institutions to Ease
Research, Powers Mission-Driven Innovation Push: Dr
Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 13 APR 2026 6:19PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today reviewed
the progress and future roadmap of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), setting the
direction for the next phase of India’s research ecosystem with a focus on mission-mode programmes,
societal innovation and wider public access to scientific knowledge.
Emphasising the need to connect science with society, the Minister stressed that research outcomes must
be presented in simple, easy-to-understand formats so that citizens can clearly see their relevance and
impact. In this direction, ANRF is developing AI-based platform ‘SARAL AI’ to convert complex
technology and research work into simple language social media content, including podcasts and short
videos in 18 Indian languages, enabling wider dissemination of scientific knowledge across the country.
The review meeting was attended by DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar, ANRF CEO Dr. Shivkumar
Kalyanaraman, Shri Sunil Kumar, Additional Secretary, DST and Dr Nishant Verma, Joint Secretary,
ANRF along with senior officials and representatives from leading research and academic institutions.
It was informed that ANRF has launched multiple ‘MAHA’ (Mission for Advancement in High Impact
Areas) programmes, designed as large-scale, mission-driven initiatives to deliver high-impact outcomes in
priority sectors. These programmes bring together academia, industry and government in a structured
manner to accelerate research from early technology readiness stage with clear national relevance.Alongside, ANRF is set to introduce a dedicated MAHA program on “Leapfrog Demonstrators for
Societal Innovation”, which will focus on accelerated development and demonstration of scalable,
research- and technology-led solutions to key societal challenges such as pollution, climate resilience,
disaster management, sports, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, transportation & safety, smarter
infrastructure, community health, radical energy efficiency, and economic inclusion.
The Foundation has witnessed strong national participation and has evaluated nearly 20,000 research
applications in the last four months, including flagship horizontal schemes like the Advanced Research
Grant (ARG) and the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM-ECRG), reflecting the growing
strength and depth of India’s research ecosystem.
Emphasising the need to connect science with society, the Minister stressed that research outcomes must
be presented in simple, easy-to-understand formats so that citizens can clearly see their relevance and
impact. In this direction, ANRF is developing ‘SARAL AI’, an AI-based platform that demystifies and
converts complex research publications and patents into podcasts, short videos, posters, business briefs,
presentations and rich social media content in 18 Indian languages, enabling wider dissemination of
scientific knowledge across the country.
To further expand outreach and visibility of Indian research, ANRF has launched the ANRF PMECRG
Lightning Talk Series, providing a platform for researchers to share their work in concise and engaging
formats. The Foundation is also actively promoting early-career and young researchers encouraging them
to do webinars, use digital and social media platforms amplified by ANRF, generating significant public
engagement.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve the ease of doing research, ANRF has introduced several measures
to simplify processes and reduce administrative burden. This includes the appointment of nodal officers in
around 250 institutions to support Principal Investigators and ensure smoother execution of research
projects.
In addition, an ANRF WhatsApp and Arattai Channels have been launched to strengthen communication
and provide real-time updates to the research community, improving accessibility to information and
opportunities.
The meeting reaffirmed ANRF’s approach of focusing on fewer, well-structured flagship high-impact
programmes with strong national relevance, while ensuring faster translation of research into real-world
applications and wider dissemination of knowledge for public benefit.
PHOTO - Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh chairing a meeting of the Anusandhan National
Research Foundation (ANRF), at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi, on Monday.******
NKR/AK/AV
(Release ID: 2251627) Visitor Counter : 494
Read this release in: ही , Urdu