For Malaria Elimination, India Needs to Integrate Its Research and Control Arms

India has targeted malaria elimination by 2030. The national malaria control program has positioned its strategies in this direction. Substantial support in the form of dynamic research inputs leading to policy formulation and change is needed to steer the country towards malaria elimination. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India's nodal research body, has been generating evidence and helping to frame several policies ranging from malaria management to vector control operations. Since the country is preparing for malaria elimination, the connection between the programmatic needs and the research agenda needs further strengthening. Typically, the national malaria control program handles the implementation of programmatic activities, while the national research body, ICMR, conducts research studies to generate evidence. We propose a virtual integration of the activities conducted by these two entities to maximize the potential for translating research findings into programmatic policies. Joint monitoring of drug and insecticide resistance, codevelopment and utilization of more innovative surveillance systems, data-backed mitigation responses, and overcoming last-mile challenges are reasons for the virtual amalgamation of the two bodies. Timely translation of research outputs into policy, co-opting of workforce and material resources, joint capacity building, and synergistic advocacy are benefits of the proposed new alliance for more efficient operations. The close functioning will provide impetus to narrow down current gaps and disrupt traditional barriers, galvanizing the country toward malaria elimination.