PM Modi Launches Rs 1 Lakh Crore R&D and Innovation Scheme to Propel India’s Scientific Breakthroughs

At the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the ambitious Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme. The landmark initiative targets private sector participation in breakthrough scientific research and innovation, marking a shift towards supporting higher-risk projects with potentially transformative impact.

The scheme complements the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, aimed at enhancing research capabilities in universities nationwide. PM Modi emphasized that India is building a modern innovation ecosystem with reforms in financial rules, procurement, regulations, and supply chains to facilitate the swift transition of ideas from lab to market.

Highlighting India’s scientific progress, Modi noted a doubling of R&D expenditure over the past decade, exponential growth in patent filings, and India’s emergence as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. The Rs 1 lakh crore fund will support frontier domains such as quantum computing, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, medical devices, and semiconductors, aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

This initiative aims to propel India’s research landscape into a new era of innovation-led economic growth and global competitiveness.

Key Highlights:

Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Scheme launched to boost private sector R&D with focus on high-risk, high-impact projects

Creation of Anusandhan National Research Foundation to enhance university research

Reforms to ease research, including financial, regulatory, and procurement changes

Doubling of R&D expenditure and 17-fold increase in patents in last decade

Focus sectors include AI, biotech, green hydrogen, quantum computing, semiconductors

Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and technology self-reliance goals

Part of ESTIC 2025 conclave bringing together global and Indian scientific community

Sources: Press Information Bureau (PIB)