RDI Scheme 2025 – is a big step taken by the Indian government to help our country become stronger in science, technology, and innovation. This scheme wants to give money to private companies so they can do more research and create new things for India’s future. With a large fund of ₹1 lakh crore, it supports big ideas that can make India self-reliant and ready for global competition.
Whether you’re running a tech startup, a deep-tech business, or a company trying to grow in strategic sectors, the RDI Scheme is here to support you. It provides long-term loans with little or no interest. The goal is to help people like you bring new technology, build useful products, and boost India’s strength in important fields like space, defense, AI, clean energy, and more. This scheme is built to help India become a developed country by 2047.
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What is the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme?
Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme is a government program created to help private companies and startups grow through research and technology. It gives low-cost loans and funds to projects that are important for India’s future like clean energy, space, defense, electronics, semiconductors, and deep-tech innovation. The scheme supports both new and advanced-level technology projects and even helps in buying important foreign technologies.
One special part of this scheme is the plan to create a “Deep-Tech Fund of Funds,” which will give extra help to businesses working on very advanced and complex technologies. This means the government will support private companies not just with money, but also with guidance to grow faster and smarter. It is like giving strength to India’s new ideas.
RDI Scheme Objective
- Boost Private sector RDI in critical & sunrise sectors
- Support High Technology Readiness Level (TRL) projects
- Enable acquisition of critical, strategic Technology
- Facilitate Deep-tech fund of funds
Main Benefits of RDI Scheme:
- ₹1 Lakh Crore Fund Support : A huge budget to support private sector research and innovation across India.
- Low or Zero Interest Loans : Long-term loans are given at very low or no interest, helping companies save money and focus on growth.
- Support for Startups and New Tech Companies : Startups working in advanced technology areas (like AI, semiconductors, clean energy) can get loans or equity funding.
- Help for Buying Strategic Technology: The scheme helps Indian companies acquire important foreign technologies that are useful for national security and development.
- Focus on Sunrise and Deep-Tech Sectors: Sectors like robotics, AI, biotech, space, and defense get priority for funding and growth.
- Encourages Private Sector Innovation: It motivates private companies to invest more in research, new ideas, and product development.
- Builds a Self-Reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat): The scheme supports India’s vision to become independent in science and technology by 2047.
- Boosts Global Competitiveness: Helps Indian companies compete globally by upgrading their technologies and skills.
- Deep-Tech Fund of Funds: Special fund to give extra support to companies working on very advanced and futuristic technologies.
- National-Level Guidance and Monitoring : The scheme is managed by top government bodies like ANRF, DST, and Prime Minister-led committees, ensuring proper use of funds.
How the RDI Scheme Works
STEP 1: The money for the scheme will be kept in a special fund called the Special Purpose Fund (SPF) under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). This fund will hold all the money and pass it on to selected fund managers.
STEP 2: These second-level fund managers will give the money to private companies or startups as loans or sometimes even as equity investment. This means your business can get help through long-term support, not just short-term aid.
The loans will be given at low or zero interest rates, which makes it easier for small and new companies to use this scheme. This also includes help for buying high-end technologies from outside India that are important for security or strategic reasons. Startups can also get funding in the form of equity, which means you don’t need to repay as a loan but can share profits later.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will manage the full implementation of the RDI Scheme. The Prime Minister will lead the Governing Board of ANRF, which will give high-level guidance. An Executive Council will make sure only the right type of projects get support, and an Empowered Group of Secretaries will review the progress and approve important changes in the scheme.
The RDI Scheme is not just about funding. It’s about building a better India through smart ideas and strong innovation. It gives you and your company the tools and support to grow in the right direction, with the help of the government. This is India’s way of saying: we believe in your ideas, and we’re ready to help you make them real.
If you want more information about the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, you can reach out to the Department of Science and Technology or visit the official ANRF website. Make sure to check the latest updates and guidelines before applying.