IITs, JNU, and University of Hyderabad Lead as ANRF Announces 18 Hubs and 106 Spokes for PAIR Program

After a rigorous evaluation of 30 proposals from top academic institutions and 166 potential Spokes, ANRF selected 18 Hubs to lead collaborative efforts. These include prominent institutions like IIT Madras, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, and NIT Rourkela, the only NIT selected as a Hub. 

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has unveiled a transformative step in India’s research landscape with the selection of 18 Hub institutions, including top-tier names like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and the University of Hyderabad, alongside 106 partnering Spoke institutions under its flagship Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Program. Announced on April 18, 2025, this initiative aims to strengthen the nation’s higher education and research ecosystem through strategic mentorship and collaboration.

IIT Madras, IISc, and NIT Rourkela Drive Collaborative Research Networks

The PAIR Program, rooted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, connects leading research institutions with universities and colleges to foster innovation and build research capacity. After a rigorous evaluation of 30 proposals from top academic institutions and 166 potential Spokes, ANRF selected 18 Hubs to lead collaborative efforts. These include prominent institutions like IIT Madras, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, and NIT Rourkela, the only NIT selected as a Hub. The Hubs are paired with 106 Spokes, categorized into two strategic modes: Category A, with 7 Hubs and 45 Spokes, and Category B, with 11 Hubs and 61 Spokes.

Notable Spoke institutions under hubs like JNU include Central University of Punjab, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Tezpur University, Cotton University, and Berhampur University. Similarly, the University of Hyderabad’s network includes Osmania University, Central University of Karnataka, Sri Venkateswara University, Yogi Vemana University, Mahatma Gandhi University, and Kannur University, focusing on health and medical technologies. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research in areas like advanced materials, sustainable energy, health technologies, and artificial intelligence, ensuring regional diversity and multi-departmental collaboration.

Each Hub, mentoring up to seven Spokes, will provide access to resources, expertise, and infrastructure to elevate research standards. With a funding cap of ₹100 crore per network (30:70 ratio between Hub and Spokes), the initiative is designed to drive internationally competitive research and foster innovation. The PAIR Program marks a pivotal step toward transforming India’s academic institutions into global centers of excellence, aligning with ANRF’s mission to unlock untapped research potential.

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