RDI Scheme Fund: ₹1 Lakh Crore for Research and Innovation
Why in the news
At the Emerging Science & Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, Bharat Mandapam, the Prime Minister opened a big innovation fund and announced a new research body.
Key facts
- RDI Scheme Fund: corpus ₹1 lakh crore; scheme dated 3 November 2025.
- Aim: reduce risk for high-TRL (Technology Readiness Level) ventures in deep-tech and strategic technology.
- Mechanism: low or zero-interest, long-tenure loans to private enterprises.
- A Deep-Tech Fund of Funds for start-ups in AI, semiconductors, biotech and advanced materials.
- Priority areas: quantum, green hydrogen, space, bioengineering, next-gen communication, tied to Viksit Bharat 2047.
Related national missions
| Initiative | Outlay |
|---|---|
| ANRF (Act 2023, operational 2024) | ₹14,000 crore public and private; ₹50,000 crore mobilisation 2023-28 |
| National Quantum Mission | ₹6,003.65 crore (2023-31) |
| India Semiconductor Mission (PLI) | ₹76,000 crore |
| Deep Ocean Mission | ₹4,077 crore |
| IndiaAI Mission | ₹10,371.92 crore; 38,000 GPUs |
| AIM 2.0 (till 2028) | ₹2,750 crore |
About the foundation
- Anusandhan Research Foundation to strengthen research and an academic-industry-government nexus, with joint R&D and commercialisation.
Exam angle
- Corpus of the RDI Scheme Fund: ₹1 lakh crore.
- Outlay of National Quantum Mission: ₹6,003.65 crore.
- Outlay of Deep Ocean Mission: ₹4,077 crore.