In a big win for eastern India, the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT-R) has earned a place among the seven elite institutions selected under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme, rolled out by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), under the Government of India.
This is no ordinary selection—NIT-R is not just the only National Institute of Technology in the entire country to make the cut, but also the sole research hub from eastern India chosen under this visionary programme. It marks a milestone moment in the transformation of India’s higher education research ecosystem.
What is the PAIR Programme and Why Is It So Important?
The PAIR initiative is a flagship effort by the ANRF to boost innovation and high-quality research in Indian colleges and universities, especially in places where research activity is just beginning to flourish.
The idea is simple but powerful: connect established institutions (hubs) with emerging ones (spokes) to create a collaborative, nationwide network. The aim? To solve pressing national problems using interdisciplinary research, and more importantly, to build research capacity across India, not just in the metros.
Out of 30 strong proposals from across the country, only seven were selected for the first phase. This includes:
- 3 IITs
- 1 IISc (Indian Institute of Science)
- 2 Central Universities
- 1 NIT – NIT Rourkela
This shows how competitive and prestigious the selection process was.
How Did NIT-R Secure This Spot?
The selection process wasn’t easy. It involved a thorough review of the institute’s proposal, followed by a final presentation before an expert committee in Bengaluru. NIT-R’s team was led by its director, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, and included top researchers like Prof. S.K. Pratihar, Prof. H.B. Sahu, and Prof. S.K. Behera.
The institute’s strong record in research and its collaborative approach were key factors in its selection.
NIT-R’s Role in the PAIR Programme: Leading as a Research Hub
As a hub institution, NIT-R will mentor and collaborate with seven partner (spoke) institutions, including:
- Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla
- Sambalpur University, Burla
- Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR), Bhubaneswar
- Fakir Mohan University, Balasore
- International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bhubaneswar
- Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar
- Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana (Punjab)
This is part of a “Hub-and-Spoke” model, where the central institute (hub) helps the spoke institutions through:
- Shared research labs and infrastructure
- Joint seminars and workshops
- Training programmes
- Faculty exchange and mentoring
- Collaborative research projects
What’s the Budget?
Each PAIR cluster can receive up to ₹100 crore over five years. The fund will be split in a 30:70 ratio, with 30% going to the hub (NIT-R) and 70% distributed among the spoke institutions. This setup ensures that even smaller or newer institutions receive meaningful support.
The Research Focus: What Will NIT-R Work On?
Under the PAIR programme, NIT-R will spearhead a research project titled:
“Consortium of Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Environment”
It will concentrate on four critical areas:
- Energy Technologies – for greener, more efficient power sources
- Environmental Sustainability – to address climate and ecological issues
- Health & Medical Technologies – innovations in healthcare
- Sustainable Agriculture – eco-friendly and productive farming methods
This multi-disciplinary approach is expected to generate practical, real-world solutions to some of the country’s biggest challenges.
What This Means for NIT-R and Odisha
This recognition is more than just a feather in the cap for NIT-R—it’s a huge leap forward for eastern India’s research landscape. According to Prof. Rao, this project will help NIT-R not only strengthen its own research network but also uplift emerging institutions by giving them access to training, facilities, and mentorship.
In short, NIT-Rourkela is all set to become a research lighthouse guiding the future of innovation in India.
Key Highlights at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research) |
| Launched by | Anusandhan National Research Foundation (Govt. of India) |
| Total Institutions Selected | 7 (out of 30 applicants) |
| Only NIT Selected | NIT-Rourkela |
| Funding | ₹100 crore per network (30:70 split between hub and spokes) |
| Research Focus | Energy, Environment, Health, Agriculture |
| Partner Institutes | 7 (6 from Odisha + 1 from Punjab) |
