India’s Innovation Revolution: Will ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund make India a science superpower? This historic announcement by PM Modi will open a new era of research investment, in which the private sector will play a big role.
New Delhi. India is now going to take a new leap in science, research and innovation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund (Research, Development and Innovation Fund) at the ‘Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025)’. Its objective is to promote private sector investment in research and take the country towards the vision of Developed India 2047. During this, PM Modi also released a coffee table book and Science and Technology Vision Document based on India’s scientific achievements.
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What is RDI fund and who will benefit from it?
This fund is a step to give new energy to India’s scientific and technological sector. The government will run this fund through the National Research Foundation (NRF). It will work on a two-tier funding structure-
- First level: A special purpose fund will be created within the NRF, which will be the custodian of the entire corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore.
- Second level: This fund will not be given directly to any company or startup, but will invest through fund managers. These will include Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs).
How will it be decided who will get support?
Investment decisions will not be taken by the government, but by independent investment committees, which will include experts in finance, business and technology. This transparency will ensure that true innovators and researchers get funded and not just big corporates.
What will change in India’s science sector with RDI fund?
- Private sector will get confidence to invest in research.
- Startups and new companies will get funding opportunity for technology development.
- Cooperation between government and industry in science and innovation will be strengthened.
- Concrete steps towards making India a global science leader by 2047.
What will India get from this initiative?
This fund will help India achieve self-reliance in scientific research, innovation and new technology.
It is being called India’s largest science-investment mission ever. Its purpose is:-
- Providing resources to youth for research
- Funding support to startups
- Promoting Innovation-Driven Economy
- Making India a global leader in technology by 2047
Will this fund take India towards ‘scientific self-reliance’?
Launching the RDI Fund, Modi said that the aim is to make India a global hub of science, research and innovation in the coming years. He also said that “investment in research is not just an expense, but the foundation of the future.”
Speaking from the ESTIC 2025 forum, Prime Minister Modi said, “Today’s step is not just an investment, but a symbol of confidence in India’s scientific future.” He said that in the coming years, India needs such an ecosystem where research, innovation and technology together will make the country self-reliant and a world leader.