On July 1, the Union Cabinet approved the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to incentivize private sector participation in research and development (R&D).

The scheme has a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over 6 years, with ₹20,000 crore allocated for FY 2025–26. Technology sectors of strategic importance have been identified under the RDI Scheme. These include energy security, climate action, and deep technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and the digital economy. The scheme also covers sectors critical for strategic and economic security, with the flexibility to include additional sectors based on approval from the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS).

The RDI Scheme aims to catalyze private sector participation in high-impact R&D and innovation across sunrise sectors and those critical to economic security, self-reliance, and strategic interests. The RDI Scheme aims to address funding gaps in private sector R&D by providing growth and risk capital to sunrise and strategic sectors. It supports innovation, technology adoption, and competitiveness, with sector selection guided by India’s economic priorities, strategic needs, and potential for global value chain integration.

It supports transformative projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 and above, enables acquisition of strategically important technologies, and promotes the creation of a Deep-Tech Fund of Funds.

The RDI Scheme has identified key strategic and sunrise sectors such as energy security, climate action, quantum technologies, AI, biotechnology, semiconductors, and the digital economy, with flexibility to include others based on national priorities. It aligns with the ‘Make in India’ mission by promoting indigenous development of critical technologies and reducing import dependence, thereby strengthening domestic high-tech manufacturing. It supports the ‘Startup India’ mission by providing equity and long-term financing to deep-tech startups, fostering innovation, and enabling commercialization through a dedicated Deep-Tech Fund of Funds and specialized implementing agencies.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2150818)