PARLIAMENT QUESTION: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION (RDI) SCHEME

**Executive Summary** The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has finalized implementation guidelines for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, approved by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The scheme aims to catalyse private investment in R&D through a ₹1 lakh crore corpus. The Technology Development Board (TDB) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs), with calls for proposals issued on February 4 and 13, 2026. **Key Points / Main Content** * **RDI Scheme Framework:** * The Department of Science & Technology (DST) is the nodal ministry for the RDI Scheme. * Implementation guidelines for the RDI Fund and Special Financial Rules have been finalized in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and Department of Expenditure (DoE). * Guidelines have been approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). * **Fund Management and Project Funding:** * The Technology Development Board (TDB) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). * Calls for project proposals were launched on 4 February 2026 (TDB) and 13 February 2026 (BIRAC). * An additional call for eligible entities, including Fund of Funds, to act as SLFMs closed on 31 January 2026, with the selection process currently underway. * SLFMs will fund technology entities, startups, companies, and industry-led R&D projects for technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above in strategic and sunrise sectors. * **Scheme Objectives and Context:** * The RDI Scheme has a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore to catalyse private investment in R&D. * The scheme aims to address the gap in patient capital for high-risk and deep-technology research. * It seeks to encourage greater private sector participation in R&D. * India's Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) is currently 0.64% of GDP, with the public sector contributing around 60% and the private sector around 35-36%. **Impact Analysis** * **Technology Entities, Startups, and Companies:** * **Impact:** These entities will have access to funding for R&D projects developing technologies at TRL 4 and above in strategic and sunrise sectors. * **Action Required:** Eligible entities can apply for funding through the designated SLFMs (TDB and BIRAC) based on the released calls for proposals. * **Public Sector:** * **Impact:** The RDI Scheme aims to increase private sector investment in R&D, potentially shifting the balance of R&D expenditure. * **Action Required:** No specific action is mentioned for the public sector in this document. * **Private Sector:** * **Impact:** The scheme is designed to encourage greater private sector participation and investment in R&D, particularly in high-risk and deep-technology research. * **Action Required:** The private sector is encouraged to participate in R&D initiatives supported by the RDI Scheme. * **Government (Ministry of Science & Technology, DEA, DoE, ANRF):** * **Impact:** These government bodies are responsible for the formulation, approval, and implementation of the RDI Scheme and its financial rules. * **Action Required:** Continued oversight and management of the scheme's implementation, including the selection of SLFMs and project funding.

Key Entities Referenced