The Department of Science & Technology (DST), as the nodal Ministry for the RDI Scheme, has formulated and finalized the implementation guidelines for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, as well as the Special Financial Rules for the Scheme, in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Expenditure (DoE). These guidelines have been approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

The RDI Scheme does not provide direct funding to universities. The scheme being operationalised through a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), uses a two-tiered funding structure. Under this mechanism, the SPF custodises the corpus and channels funds to SLFMs. As per the approved framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) and launched calls for project proposals on 4 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, respectively.

Further, a call inviting applications from additional eligible entities, including Fund of Funds, to act as SLFMs was issued, which closed on 31 January 2026. Applications have been received and the selection process is currently underway.

The SLFMs will provide funding to eligible technology entities, including startups, companies and industry-led R&D projects developing technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, in strategic and sunrise sectors.

To promote awareness and encourage participation among youth, students and early-career researchers regarding the Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, outreach programmes were conducted at Mumbai (25 November 2025), Bengaluru (4 December 2025), Panchkula, Haryana (6 December 2025), and New Delhi (13 December 2025).

These programmes engaged start-ups, industry representatives, fund managers, young researchers and other eligible entities to discuss opportunities under the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund and to promote wider participation in RDI Scheme.

The scheme targets strategic technology 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 and the digital economy. 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.

DST, as the nodal agency, has written to all Ministries/Departments to sensitise them regarding submission of proposals for inclusion of suitable sectors/sub-sectors under the RDI Scheme. Such identified sectors/sub-sectors will be placed before the competent authority for approval.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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