NEW DELHI, 07 July 2026: Mr Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board (TDB), Govt of India today while addressing the FICCI’s Industry Outreach Program on ‘Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF), emphasized on the need to spend more on R&D and innovation and the role of Indian industry will be critical. “The objective of the RDIF is to encourage private sector to scale-up R&D spent. Today, only around 0.65 per cent of GDP is spent on R&D and innovation and we are looking to enhance it to around 2 per cent of GDP. The role of private sector is most important in this,” he added.
Mr Pathak further stated that through this fund, industry can get up to 50 per cent funding of the total R&D cost and companies can avail this facility to acquire technology from abroad as well. He further invited companies to take advantage of this fund. “The government has allocated Rs 1 lakh crore fund, but it can become much more by reinvesting the fund in research and development,” he noted.
Mr Pathak said that this fund is to support the industry to absorb initial risks involved in R&D and innovation by providing the funds without any collaterals for a period of 10-15 years. “This fund is not for the routine R&D but for a critical cutting-edge research and development,” he emphasized.
Mr Pathak stated that this fund is primarily focused on providing funding for the sunrise sectors including Energy security and transition, and climate action; ‘Deep Technology’ including quantum computing, robotics and space; AI and its application to Indian problems, including in agriculture, health and education; Biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; Digital economy, including Digital agriculture. “Other sectors which can be amended with appropriate approval include – Technologies whose indigenization is important for strategic reasons or for economic security/ Atmanirbharta; Any other sector/technology where it is deemed necessary in the public interest,” he added.
Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Govt of India said that our goal is to catalyze India’s rise as a global research and innovation powerhouse. “We see ourselves not merely as a funding agency, but as a catalytic force for innovation,” he added
Mr Puneet Dalmia, Vice President, FICCI and Chair, R&D and Innovation Committee and MD & CEO, Dalmia Bharat Group said that the government’s Rs 1 lakh crore ‘Research, Development & Innovation’ (RDI) Fund is not just another scheme. It is a clear signal that India is no longer just a consumer of technology, but it is ready to become a creator of technology. “AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, green hydrogen, defence, and deep tech are not just sectors of the future. They are the foundation of India’s future competitiveness,” he added.
Mr Anant Swarup, Secretary General, FICCI said, “The RDI Fund reflects a simple yet powerful idea. When we invest in research, development, and innovation, we invest in the future of our economy. In a rapidly changing world, competitiveness depends not only on scale but also on our ability to innovate, adapt, and create solutions that are practical, relevant, and globally competitive.”
Ms Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI said, “Innovation is no longer an option; it is the foundation upon which India’s future competitiveness and prosperity will be built. FICCI, with the support of the Technology Development Board, the Department of Science and Technology and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, will curate a series of similar outreach programs across the country.”