Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Cell: Open call

DST launches ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme to Boost Private Sector R&D

The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has officially launched the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 1, 2025.

With an unprecedented outlay of ₹1 lakh crore, this transformative initiative is designed to catalyze private sector participation in high-impact R&D, strengthen India’s strategic technological capabilities, and promote Atmanirbhar Bharat through innovation-led growth.

Key Objectives of the RDI Scheme

1. Encouraging Private Sector Involvement
   • Incentivize active participation from industry players in cutting-edge research and innovation.
2. Promoting Strategic Technologies
   • Focus on mission-critical areas vital for India’s long-term development and global competitiveness, including:
     • Energy security & transition, and climate action
     • Deep technologies – quantum computing, robotics, and space
     • Artificial intelligence for Indian applications in agriculture, health, and education
     • Biotechnology & biomanufacturing – synthetic biology, pharma, medical devices
     • Digital economy – including digital agriculture
3. Fostering Self-Reliance & Economic Security
   • Prioritize technologies where indigenization is essential for strategic or economic reasons.
4. Flexibility in Sectoral Support
   • Enable funding for additional sectors or technologies in public interest as identified by experts.

How the Scheme Works

Funding & Financial Support

• Total Budget: ₹1 lakh crore
• Modes of Financing:
  • Long-term loans at low or nil interest rates
  • Equity infusion (particularly for startups)
  • Contributions to Deep-Tech Fund of Funds
• Exclusions: Grants and short-term loans will not be supported
• Coverage: Financing can cover up to 50% of project cost for transformative RDI projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4+
  • Exceptions may be approved by the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS)

Implementation Structure

• Special Purpose Fund (SPF):
  • Being set up under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) as the first-level custodian.
• Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs):
  • May include:
    • Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs)
    • Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)
    • Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
    • Focused Research Organizations (FROs) such as TDB, BIRAC, IIT Research Parks, or similar entities.

Participation & Contact

• Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs):
  • Invited to express interest in partnering with the RDI fund by writing to:
    📧 Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Head, RDI Cell — sharma[dot]jyoti[at]nic[dot]in
• NBFCs establishing AIFs:
  • Encouraged to contact DST regarding participation.

⚠️ Note for Industry Stakeholders:

• Proposals or funding requests should not be sent directly to DST.
• All disbursements will be routed only through designated SLFMs, which will be announced separately.

Why it Matters

The RDI Scheme represents one of India’s boldest commitments to innovation-driven growth, aiming to:

• Reduce reliance on foreign technologies
• Empower private sector R&D
• Strengthen India’s global leadership in strategic and deep technologies
• Create a robust innovation ecosystem for startups, industry, and academia

Website: https://dst.gov.in/rdi-scheme/research-development-and-innovation-rdi-cell

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