🗓️ Published: July 01, 2025 |✍️ Skylink Times Policy & Economy Desk
In a historic move to catalyze India’s research, technology, and innovation infrastructure, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore.
The scheme aims to unlock large-scale private sector investment into R&D, with a special focus on sunrise technologies, strategic sectors, and deep-tech. The RDI Scheme provides long-term, low or zero-interest funding, removing a critical barrier to innovation-driven growth in India.
🎯 Key Objectives of the RDI Scheme:
- Fuel private sector participation in cutting-edge research and strategic innovation.
- Finance high TRL (Technology Readiness Level) projects and critical tech acquisitions.
- Set up a Deep-Tech Fund of Funds to support advanced technology startups and enterprises.
- Bridge the funding gap for growth capital in innovation-focused sectors.
🔧 Implementation and Oversight
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will anchor the RDI Scheme, with its Governing Board led by the Prime Minister. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will serve as the nodal department.
- The Executive Council of ANRF will set project guidelines and identify second-level fund managers.
- An Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, will oversee execution, performance, and policy changes.
- A Special Purpose Fund (SPF) within ANRF will distribute funds to 2nd-level fund managers, who will provide financing in the form of concessional loans or equity, especially to startups and R&D ventures.
🧠 Why This Matters
By directly addressing India’s innovation financing gap, the RDI Scheme empowers the private sector to undertake transformative R&D, acquire strategic technologies, and scale deep-tech businesses. It marks a bold step toward achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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