The Ministry of Science & Technology has approved implementation guidelines for the RDI Scheme. The guidelines, vetted with the Department of Economic Affairs and the Department of Expenditure, were cleared by the Executive Council of the ANRF. The scheme seeks to address India’s low Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) and stimulate private‑sector participation.
Key Developments
- Two agencies – the TDB and the BIRAC – have been designated as SLFMs.
- Calls for project proposals were launched on 4 February 2026 (TDB) and 13 February 2026 (BIRAC).
- A separate invitation for additional eligible entities, including Fund‑of‑Funds, closed on 31 January 2026; selection is underway.
- The scheme targets technology entities – startups, companies and industry‑led R&D – developing technologies at TRL 4 and above in strategic and sunrise sectors.
Important Facts
- India’s GERD stands at 0.64 % of GDP, with the public sector contributing ~60 % and the private sector ~35‑36 %.
- In leading innovation‑driven economies, private R&D spending exceeds 70 % of total GERD, highlighting a significant funding gap in India.
- The RDI corpus of ₹1 lakh crore is earmarked to provide “patient capital” for high‑risk, deep‑technology research, encouraging private investors to co‑invest.
- The scheme was announced by Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences in a Lok Sabha reply.
UPSC Relevance
Understanding the RDI Scheme is crucial for GS‑3 (Economy) as it reflects India’s strategy to boost innovation, bridge the public‑private R&D gap, and move up the global value chain. The role of bodies like DST and the governance framework involving the DEA and DoE illustrate inter‑ministerial coordination in policy implementation.
Way Forward
- Accelerate the selection of additional SLFMs to broaden the funding network.
- Encourage industry‑academia collaborations to generate TRL‑4+ projects aligned with national priorities.
- Monitor the impact of the RDI Scheme on private R&D contribution and adjust the corpus or eligibility criteria as needed.
- Integrate the scheme’s outcomes into broader initiatives like Make in India and the National Innovation Ecosystem.
Overall, the RDI Scheme marks a decisive step toward creating a robust innovation ecosystem, reducing reliance on public funding, and positioning India as a competitive player in high‑technology sectors.