The RDI scheme targets sunrise sectors including energy security and transition, and climate action; deep-technology including quantum computing, robotics and space; AI and its application in agriculture, health and education; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharma, medical devices; and digital economy including Digital agriculture. Other proposed sectors are technologies whose indigenization is important for strategic reasons or for economic security and Atmanirbharta and; any other sector or technology deemed necessary in public interest.

The ANRF aligns its research activities with national strategic missions through a structured set of programmes designed to support priority-driven and mission-oriented research. Its initiatives promote competitive funding across disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas of science and technology, strengthen the R&D capabilities of state universities by integrating them with national priorities, and enhance private-sector participation in research. The Foundation also supports limited fellowship, seminar, and workshop programmes to build research capacity. A key mechanism for alignment is the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA), which focuses on solution-oriented, mission-mode research through multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary, and multi-investigator collaborations. Under MAHA, ANRF has identified and launched priority missions in Electric Vehicle (EV) mobility, 2D materials, MedTech, and AI for Science and Engineering, ensuring that research efforts are directed towards areas of national strategic importance.

The new RDI Scheme, led by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) as the nodal Ministry, is being operationalised through a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) and an Independent Business Unit under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), using a two-tier funding mechanism. At the first level, the SPF within ANRF serves as the custodian of the corpus, while at the second level, implementation is carried out by Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) including Alternative Investment Fund, Development Finance Institutions, NBFCs, and Focused Research Organisations such as TDB, BIRAC, and IIT Research Parks. Financial support is provided through long-term unsecured loans at low interest, equity support for start-ups where appropriate, and contributions to deep-tech Fund-of-Funds structures. DST has formulated implementation guidelines and the selection process for second-level fund managers in consultation with relevant Ministries and stakeholders; these have been approved by the ANRF Executive Council with concurrence from the Ministry of Finance. DST has also prepared Special Financial Rules which have similarly been adopted following approval from the Ministry of Finance.

One of the key mechanisms adopted under the RDI Scheme to bridge the gap between academic research and market-appropriate products is the structured support across Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Under the new framework, ANRF will support research from basic and early-stage development up to TRL-4, while the RDI Fund will provide support for TRL-4 and above to advance prototypes, pilot demonstrations, and scale-up activities. This coordinated approach enables a smooth transition from laboratory research to commercially deployable technologies.

Any Ministry or Department that seeks inclusion of a particular technology or sector under the RDI Scheme may submit a proposal to the Department of Science & Technology (DST). Such proposals are placed before the Executive Council (EC) of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) for examination. Based on the EC’s recommendations, the proposal is then referred to the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) for appropriate decision.

This mechanism ensures that the efforts of various Ministries are integrated in a structured and coordinated manner within the overall RDI-focused funding framework.

 

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