NEW DELHI, April 13, 2026 : In a major push to bridge the gap between science and society, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the development of an AI-powered platform ‘SARAL AI’ to convert complex scientific research into simple, engaging social media content.
The announcement came during a high-level review of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, where the Minister outlined the roadmap for strengthening India’s research ecosystem with a focus on accessibility, innovation, and societal impact.
SARAL AI will transform technical research into easy-to-understand formats such as podcasts, short videos, and digital posts in 18 Indian languages, enabling wider dissemination of scientific knowledge across diverse audiences. The initiative aims to ensure that citizens can better understand and connect with the real-world impact of scientific advancements.
The meeting was attended by key officials including Abhay Karandikar and Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, along with representatives from leading academic and research institutions.
Highlighting future initiatives, the Minister said ANRF will soon launch MAHA (Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Hubs for Action) programmes—large-scale, mission-driven projects designed to deliver impactful outcomes in priority sectors by fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government.
Additionally, a dedicated vertical titled “Innovation for Society” will focus on addressing key national challenges such as pollution, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency, infrastructure, and economic inclusion through technology-led solutions.
The Foundation has seen strong participation, receiving nearly 20,000 research proposals in recent months under flagship schemes like Advanced Research Grant (ARG) and Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM-ECRG), reflecting the growing strength of India’s innovation ecosystem.
To further boost outreach, ANRF has launched initiatives like the Lightning Talk Series, allowing researchers to present their work in concise, engaging formats, and a WhatsApp channel to ensure real-time communication with the research community.
The Minister also emphasized simplifying research processes, including appointing nodal officers across 250 institutions to reduce administrative hurdles and support smooth project execution.
The review reaffirmed ANRF’s focus on high-impact, mission-oriented research while ensuring faster translation of scientific discoveries into practical solutions for public benefit.
