Lok Sabha Question No. 4160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Research, Development and Innovation Scheme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4160 ANSWERED ON 18/03/2026

## RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION SCHEME

## 4160.  SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

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

- the details of the current status of implementation of the Research,
- (a) Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme;
- (b) the number of startups across the country that have received funding under  the  scheme,  along  with  State/UT-wise  details  and  the  amount  of funding disbursed;
- (c) the major projects undertaken under the scheme in the energy sector, deep technology, artificial intelligence and the digital economy; and
- (d) the steps undertaken by the Government to expand and strengthen the digital agriculture sector in the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The  Department  of  Science  &  Technology  (DST),  as  the nodal  Ministry  for  the  RDI  Scheme,  has  formulated  and  finalized  the Implementation Guidelines for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and  the  Department  of  Expenditure  (DoE).  These  guidelines  have  been approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).  DST has also notified Anusandhan National Research Foundation  (Utilization  of  Research,  Development  and  Innovation  Fund) Financial Rules 2026.

The scheme being operationalized through a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), uses a two-tiered funding structure. Under this mechanism, the SPF will be the first level custodian of RDI Fund and will channels funds to Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). As per the approved framework, the Technology Development  Board  (TDB)  and  the  Biotechnology  Industry  Research

Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) and launched calls for project proposals on 4 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, respectively.

Further, a call inviting applications  from  additional  eligible  entities, including Fund of Funds, to act as SLFMs was issued, which closed on 31 January 2026. Applications have been received and the selection process is currently underway.

The SLFMs will provide funding to eligible technology entities,  including startups,  companies,  and  industry-led  R&D  projects,  for  development  of technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above in sunrise sectors.  These  include  energy  security,  energy  transition  and  climate action; deep technologies such as quantum computing, robotics and space; artificial intelligence and  its applications in agriculture,  health  and education; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and the digital economy, including digital agriculture.

- (d) With  regard  to  strengthening  the  digital  agriculture  sector,  the Scheme supports relevant sub-sectors such as Digital Agriculture (AgriTech),  precision  agriculture  and  soil  health,  AI-enabled  agriculture solutions, remote sensing, smart irrigation, climate-smart input optimization, digital soil health monitoring and advisory systems, agri-data and yield analytics platforms, drone-based solutions for crop monitoring, spraying and land mapping, digital farm-to-market value chains, blockchainbased  produce  traceability  and  contract  farming  platforms,  and  other technology-driven interventions aimed at improving productivity, sustainability  and  resilience  in  the  agriculture  sector.  The  Scheme  also provides flexibility to include additional sub-sectors, based on the recommendations of the concerned Ministries/Departments and subject to necessary approvals.
- A  'Krishi  Sewa'  mobile  application  has  also  been  developed  to  support farmers in agricultural activities. advanced AI, sensor systems, and UAVs have  been  integrated  for  farm  mechanization,  processing,  and  value addition. Additionally, the 'Kisan-Sarathi' portal, a multimedia, multilingual digital  agricultural  advisory  platform  has  been  implemented  through  731 KVKs under ICAR to provide localized extension services.

*****