Prime Minister launched a ₹1 trillion (₹1 lakh crore) Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It is a landmark initiative to strengthen India’s R&D ecosystem, focusing on private sector–driven innovation and technological advancement in sunrise and strategic sectors.
Key Objectives of RDI Scheme
- Encourage private sector participation in large-scale R&D and innovation activities.
- Finance transformative projects– especially those close to market readiness.
- Support acquisition of critical technologies of strategic importance.
- Facilitate Deep-Tech Fund of Funds– to nurture high-tech, innovation-led startups.
- Accelerate translation of scientific research into commercial applications.
- Promote self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in key scientific and strategic areas.
Fund Management & Institutional Structure
| Level | Description |
| Nodal Ministry | Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
| Level I | Special Purpose Fund (SPF) under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) – acts as principal custodian |
| Level II | Fund deployment via professional managers- AIFs, DFIs, NBFCs, and Focused Research Organizations (FROs) such as Technology Development Board (TDB) and BIRAC |
Financing Mechanisms
- Long-tenure loans (low or zero interest)
- Equity infusions for startups
- Support to Deep-Tech Fund of Funds
- No grants or short-term lending included
Priority Sectors under RDI Fund
- Energy Security & Transition
- Quantum Computing
- Robotics
- Space Technology
- Biotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Economic and Innovation Impact
- Seen as a catalyst for public-private collaboration in science and technology.
- Addresses India’s underinvestment in R&D, promotes risk-taking, patient capital, and deep-tech commercialization.
- Experts term it a “nation of creators” approach, enhancing innovation capital and global competitiveness.
Deep-Tech Investment Trends in India (As per Tracxn)
| Year | Investment | Deals | Trend |
| 2024 | $1.52 billion | 456 rounds | Record growth |
| 2025 (YTD) | $1.44 billion | 248 rounds | Sustained momentum |
This surge reflects India’s rising role as a deep-tech innovation hub.
India’s R&D Expenditure- Key Trends
| Indicator | Data |
| GERD (Gross Expenditure on R&D) | Doubled from ₹60,196.75 crore (2010–11) → ₹1,27,380.96 crore (2020–21) |
| Per Capita R&D Spend (PPP) | Increased from PPP$ 29.2 (2007–08) → PPP$ 42.0 (2020–21) |
| GERD Composition | Govt: 64% |
| PhDs in Science & Technology (2018–19) | 24,474 (60% of total 40,813) – 3rd globally (after USA & China) |
| Patents Filed in India | Increased from 24,326 (2020–21) → 68,176 (2024–25) |
These figures indicate accelerated innovation and research growth across academia and industry.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
- Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 (Act 25 of 2023)
- Came into force on 5 February 2024
- Functions as an apex body to guide India’s research, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem
- Funding Plan (2023–28): ₹50,000 crore total corpus
- ₹14,000 crore from Central Government
- ₹36,000 crore from private and philanthropic contributions
Mandate
- Strengthen academia–industry linkages
- Promote strategic research aligned with national priorities
- Mobilize multi-source financing for innovation
Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Theme: “Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement and Empowerment”
- Participants: 3,000+ including Nobel Laureates, policymakers, scientists, industry leader.
Highlights:
- 11 thematic sessions
- Exhibitions featuring 35+ deep-tech startups
- Poster presentations by young scientists
- Panel discussions and plenary lectures
Significance
ESTIC serves as India’s flagship annual platform to promote research collaboration, innovation networks, and policy direction for Viksit Bharat @2047.
Key Facts
| Department of Science and Technology (DST) | Established in 1971 under Ministry of Science & Technology |
| Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) | Headquarters – New Delhi |
| Technology Development Board (TDB) | Formed in 1996 under DST, supports commercialization of indigenous technologies |
| BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) | Established in 2012 under Department of Biotechnology (DBT) |
| GERD Definition | Gross Expenditure on Research and Development – total domestic R&D spending within a country |
| PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) | Economic measure that compares the relative value of currencies and cost of living |
| Deep-Tech Startups | Focus on advanced technologies such as AI, quantum, semiconductors, and biotechnology |
| Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision | Government’s long-term roadmap to make India a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of independence |
Significance for India’s Development
- Institutionalizes innovation financing for the private sector.
- Strengthens national research infrastructure.
- Creates a sustainable innovation ecosystem aligned with India’s self-reliance and growth goals.
- Bridges the “lab-to-market” gap, accelerating commercialization of Indian research.
- Positions India as a global innovation leader in the run-up to Viksit Bharat 2047.