The Government has launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem by supporting the development and commercialization of indigenous technologies. The Scheme provides long-term, low-cost financing to eligible technology entities through Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs), such as Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and Focused Research Organisations (FROs). It supports projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above through debt and equity instruments with the objective of bridging the financing gap for research-driven and deep-tech innovations.

So far, financial assistance of ₹1,000 crore each has been sanctioned to the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), aggregating to ₹2,000 crore. Of this, ₹500 crore has been disbursed to TDB during March 2026.

Under the Scheme, TDB has approved 22 projects involving a total project cost of ₹4,744 crore, with RDI Fund support of ₹2,192 crore. BIRAC has shortlisted 8 projects involving ₹390.35 crore for support under the RDI Scheme. Proposals received from Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and the remaining Focused Research Organisations (FROs) are under consideration of the competent authority.

The Scheme is designed to catalyse greater private sector investment in Research and Development (R&D) by providing long-term, low-cost financing for indigenous technology development and commercialization. It supports research-driven and deep-tech innovations, particularly in strategic technology sectors, thereby addressing the financing gap and encouraging greater participation of the private sector in the national R&D ecosystem.

The Scheme is being operationalised through a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The SPF maintains the corpus of the Scheme and channels funds through a two-tier funding structure to Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). As per the approved framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been designated as SLFMs. Applications from additional SLFMs, including Fund of Funds, have also been invited and are under evaluation.

While the Scheme accords priority to strategic technology sectors, it also supports other sectors of national importance. Priority sectors include energy security, energy transition and climate action; deep technologies such as quantum computing, robotics and space; Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications in agriculture, health and education; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and the digital economy, including digital agriculture. The Scheme also supports technologies whose indigenisation is important for strategic or economic security, for promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat, and any other sector or technology considered necessary in the public interest.

The Scheme provides financial support to eligible technology entities in project mode through Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) to meet project-related costs, including manpower, wherever required. Accordingly, no State-wise details of such fellowships are available under the Scheme.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

***

NKR/FT

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2291145) आगंतुक पटल : 70