**Summary:**
The Union Cabinet approved a Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme on July 1, 2025, with a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years, including an allocation of ₹20,000 crore for FY 2025-26. The scheme targets technology sectors of strategic importance, including energy security, climate action, and deep technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and the digital economy. It also encompasses sectors critical for strategic and economic security, with provisions for adding sectors subject to approval by the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS).
Financing mechanisms include long-term loans at low or no interest, equity financing, and contributions to the DeepTech Fund of Funds. Grant financing and short-term loans are excluded. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will house a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) serving as the Level 1 Fund Custodian. Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs), such as Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Focused Research Organizations (FROs) like BIRAC, TDB, and IIT Research Parks, will execute the implementation, subject to EGoS approval.
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) serves as the nodal agency for the scheme. The Governing Board of ANRF provides oversight and governance, while the EGoS, Executive Council (EC), and Investment Committees (ICs) are responsible for sector approvals, fund manager selection, project evaluation, and overall performance review.
Funding is limited to projects with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 and above, enabling the acquisition of strategically important technologies. Excluded from financing are next-generation R&D labs, RDI financing for government entities, and short-term loans. Financing is capped at 50% of the project's assessed cost, with the project proponent responsible for securing the remaining funds. The EGoS may relax this limit for exceptional projects.
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, provided this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Research, Development and Innovation RDI Scheme: A government scheme approved by the Union Cabinet with a total outlay of 1 lakh crore over 6 years to promote research, development, and innovation in technology sectors of strategic importance.
Empowered Group of Secretaries EGoS: An entity responsible for approving additional sectors, fund manager selections and relaxing financial limits for projects under the RDI Scheme.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF: An apex body that will serve as the Level 1 Fund Custodian through a Special Purpose Fund SPF for the RDI Scheme.
DeepTech Fund of Funds: A fund to which the RDI scheme will contribute, supporting deep technology initiatives.
Department of Science Technology DST: The nodal agency responsible for implementing the Research, Development and Innovation RDI Scheme.
BIRAC: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, is a Focused Research Organization FRO involved in implementation of RDI scheme.
TDB: Technology Development Board, is a Focused Research Organization FRO involved in implementation of RDI scheme.
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.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: RESEARCH,
DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION SCHEME
Posted On: 30 JUL 2025 3:36PM by PIB Delhi
On July 1, the Union Cabinet approved a Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme.
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 nature of financing under this scheme includes long-term loans (at low or no
interest), equity financing, and contributions to the Deep-Tech Fund of Funds. Grant financing and short-term
loans are not envisaged under the scheme.
A Special Purpose Fund (SPF) under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will serve as
the Level 1 Fund Custodian. Implementation will be carried out by Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs),
including Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), Non-Banking
Financial Companies (NBFCs), and Focused Research Organizations (FROs), such as BIRAC, TDB, and IIT
Research Parks, with approval from the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS).
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) is the nodal agency for the scheme. Oversight and
governance are provided by the Governing Board of ANRF, while the EGoS, Executive Council (EC), and
Investment Committees (ICs) are responsible for sector approvals, fund manager selection, project evaluation,
and overall performance review.
Funding under the scheme is intended only for projects that have achieved a certain level of technological
maturity — specifically, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, and allow for the acquisition of
strategically important technologies. However, the financing excludes next-generation R&D labs, RDI
financing for government entities, and short-term loans. Financing will be limited to a maximum of 50% of
the project's assessed cost, with the remaining funds arranged by the project proponent. In exceptional types
of projects/sectors, the financial limit for government share in financing can be relaxed with the approval of
the EGoS.
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 Lok
Sabha today.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2150134)