Lok Sabha Question No. 3067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: RDI Scheme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3067

## ANSWERED ON 11/03/2026

## RDI SCHEME

## 3067. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

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

- (a) the details of the proposals received under the Research Development and Innovation  Scheme  (RDIS),  indicating  those  that  have  been  put  forward,  are under consideration and have been approved for funding along with their present status;
- (b) institution-wise  list  of  universities,  research  organisations,  and  other eligible entities that have undertaken projects under the RDIS including funds allocated, released and utilised by each institution so far, State-wise and those from Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to increase awareness and  participation  among  youth,  students  and  early-career  researchers  to effectively utilise the benefits of the RDIS;
- (d) whether the Government has identified or prioritised specific thematic or sectoral areas of strategic and national importance under the RDIS; and
- (e) if so, the details and rationale thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (b):            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, as well as the Special Financial Rules for the Scheme, 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).

The  RDI  Scheme  does  not  provide  direct  funding  to  universities.  The scheme being operationalised 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 custodises the corpus and

channels  funds  to  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 developing technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, in strategic and sunrise sectors.

- (c) To promote awareness and encourage participation among youth, students and early-career researchers regarding the Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, outreach  programmes  were  conducted  at  Mumbai  (25  November  2025), Bengaluru (4 December 2025), Panchkula, Haryana (6 December 2025), and New Delhi (13 December 2025).

These  programmes  engaged  start-ups,  industry  representatives,  fund managers, young researchers and other eligible entities to discuss opportunities under  the  ₹1  lakh  crore  RDI  Fund  and  to  promote  wider  participation  in  RDI

Scheme.

- (d)  to  (e):              The  scheme  targets  strategic  technology  sectors  including energy security and transition, and climate action; deep-technology including quantum computing, robotics and space; AI and its application in agriculture, health  and  education;  biotechnology,  biomanufacturing,  synthetic  biology, pharma, medical devices; and digital economy including Digital agriculture and the digital economy. Other proposed sectors are technologies whose indigenization is important for strategic reasons or for economic security and Atmanirbharta and; any other sector or technology deemed necessary in public interest.

DST,  as  the  nodal  agency, has written to all Ministries/Departments to sensitise  them  regarding  submission  of  proposals  for  inclusion  of  suitable sectors/sub-sectors under the RDI Scheme. Such identified sectors/sub-sectors will be placed before the competent authority for approval.

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