Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Scheme – Overview
The Ministry of Science & Technology has introduced the RDI Scheme with a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years. Its aim is to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by bridging the financing gap for deep‑tech and research‑driven projects.
Key Developments
- Financial assistance of ₹1,000 crore each has been sanctioned to the TDB and the BIRAC, totalling ₹2,000 crore.
- During March 2026, ₹500 crore was disbursed to TDB.
- TDB has approved 22 projects worth ₹4,744 crore, with RDI Fund support of ₹2,192 crore.
- BIRAC has shortlisted 8 projects amounting to ₹390.35 crore for RDI support.
- Proposals from AIFs and other FROs are under review.
Important Facts
The scheme operates through a Special Purpose Fund housed in the ANRF. The SPF holds the corpus and channels money to SLFMs in a two‑tier structure.
Priority sectors include energy security, energy transition, climate action, quantum computing, robotics, space, artificial intelligence (AI) for agriculture, health and education, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and