₹1 lakh crore innovation surge — India bets big on breakthroughs

The government has approved a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme designed to transform the country’s innovation and private sector research ecosystem. This initiative provides long-term, low- or zero-interest financing specifically to boost private sector and industry participation in research, targeting sunrise and strategic sectors such as AI, clean energy, quantum computing, biotechnology, and digital agriculture.​​

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation will anchor the scheme, which includes a dedicated Deep-Tech Fund of Funds and a special purpose structure to deliver growth and risk capital to transformative projects and higher Technology Readiness Levels. The government expects the scheme to bridge persistent funding gaps that have hampered private research and to facilitate the acquisition and scaling of strategically significant technologies.​

This move aims to drive “Make in India” from manufacturing toward invention, ensuring the country’s private sector is competitive, self-reliant, and able to deliver real-world impact in global technology leadership.​

CT Bureau