Lok Sabha Question No. 1651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Research, Development and Innovation Scheme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1651 ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025

## RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION SCHEME

## 1651. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE  AND  TECHNOLOGY  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)     whether it is a fact that the Government has approved a Rs.1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation scheme;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof;
- (c)     whether  the  funds  would  be  provided  only  for  products  that  had reached a certain level of development and market potential, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)     whether the aim of the Government is to have a private sector chip in more than that of the Government to fund basic research; and
- (e)     if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री ( स्ितंत्र प्रभार) ( डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह )

- (a) Yes, on July 1, the Union Cabinet approved a Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme.
- (b) 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.

(c) to (e): Yes, 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.

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