₹1 trillion Innovation Fund Announced by GoI will Boost Private-Sector R&D
Bengaluru, November 11, 2025: “India is entering a decisive phase in its science and technology journey. Our goal is not just to expand research output, but to build an innovation ecosystem that is globally competitive, economically impactful, and aligned to national priorities. The new initiatives from the National Research Foundation to the Quantum and Cyber-Physical Systems Missions and now the ₹1 trillion R&D and Innovation Fund are designed to deepen capabilities, accelerate commercialization and ensure that India leads in shaping the technologies of the future. We are building a science and innovation ecosystem that is future-ready, self-reliant and globally influential as we move towards the vision of a developed India by 2047.”
Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST), GoI stated this on the inaugural session of the 3-day IEEE Future Networks World Forum 2025, right now.
Dr. Karandikar made these remarks within the context of India’s ongoing nationwide efforts to strengthen analysis, innovation and superior expertise improvement throughout strategic sectors together with deep tech, communications, house, quantum computing and AI.
Dr. Abhay added that India has recorded important progress in science and innovation, now rating third globally in science and engineering publications and PhD output, with patent filings doubling within the final 12 months. The nation has additionally become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 170,000 startups and greater than 100 unicorns. Key nationwide initiatives driving this progress embrace the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which is steering mission-mode analysis packages corresponding to a nationwide AI initiative; the $1 billion National Quantum Mission establishing 4 thematic hubs and supporting home quantum startups; and the National Mission on Cyber-Physical Systems, which has constructed 25 Technology Innovation Hubs, backed 884 startups, and enabled developments corresponding to IIT Bombay’s multilingual RxJai LLM. Complementing these is the newly launched ₹1 trillion National R&D and Innovation Fund, aimed toward boosting private-sector R&D in strategic deep-tech areas together with semiconductors, 6G and future networks, quantum techniques, house, robotics, local weather and vitality options, AI-driven healthcare and biomanufacturing, superior medical units, and digital agriculture, sectors anticipated to form India’s subsequent section of scientific competitiveness and financial progress.
The IEEE Future Networks World Forum 2025, a 3-day occasion held in Bengaluru, introduced collectively researchers, trade leaders and community architects from around the globe to study the quickly evolving panorama of world connectivity.
Father of Internet, Vinton Gray Cerf, who nearly joined the Forum, stated, “The future of networking is already unfolding through the expansion of subsea fiber systems and the rise of low-Earth-orbit satellite networks, which are extending connectivity to remote regions, ocean routes, and places where cables are impractical. However, the growing convenience and ubiquity of connectivity also increase our dependence on these systems. Disruptions—whether caused by accidents, cyberattacks, or infrastructure failures can have immediate and serious consequences. As billions of people now rely on constant access to digital communication, building resilient networks with diverse routes, backup capabilities, and strong security is essential. The next phase of networking will be defined not only by reach, but by its ability to withstand failure.”
“The 8th IEEE Future Networks World Forum in Bengaluru not only accelerates the deployment of 5G but also paves the way for 6G research and development. This forum provides a platform for industry, academia, government, and startups to engage and collaborate in creating a new ecosystem to advance technology for humanity,” stated Ashutosh Dutta, Founding Co-Chair, IEEE Future Networks World Forum, affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.
Peter Vetter, President of Bell Labs Core Research and Bell Labs Fellow, outlined 5 main analysis instructions: synthetic intelligence, software-defined community infrastructure, next-generation radio/optical networks, quantum applied sciences, and house communications. He stated, “Our work spans AI, software systems, next-generation networks, quantum technologies, and even communication in space not as isolated breakthroughs, but as part of one continuous effort to solve real-world problems with science and engineering. The goal is not novelty for its own sake, but technology that is intelligent, resilient, and meaningful in how it connects people and systems.”
Dr. Debabrata Das, Project Director of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems and Advanced Communication Systems and Director of IIIT-Bangalore, stated on the sidelines of the Future Network and World Forum that the convention is designed to broaden world considering on networking past speedy technological milestones. He stated,
“This forum is not just about moving from one generation of communication technology to the next. It is about reimagining how networks can enable societies — on the ground and in space. The ideas shared here will shape research directions, innovation pathways, and global collaboration in the years ahead.”
Other keynote audio system from academia, trade, and world tech alliances shared their views through the discussion board.
“India is the second largest deployer of 5G over IPv6 in the world and now has a vibrant 6G research ecosystem. Join us to gain firsthand, in-depth knowledge and real-world experience from Indian innovators,” stated Dr. Latif Ladid, Chair, 5G World Alliance, and President, IPv6 Forum.
At the IEEE Future Networks World Forum 2025 within the tech hub of Bangalore, we declare that India is now not simply adopting the longer term—it is co-creating it. Our ‘Bharat 6G Vision’ is a blueprint for an AI-native community constructed on rules of affordability, sustainability, and ubiquitous intelligence. We are right here not simply to showcase innovation, however to drive worldwide requirements and bridge the worldwide digital divide, making certain 6G’s transformative energy advantages everybody, in all places, stated Anindya Saha, Tejas Network, India