The replace emerged after a assessment of the RDI Fund scheme chaired by Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for the PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Officials briefed the Minister on progress below the scheme, which was accepted by the Union Cabinet on 1 July final 12 months and formally rolled out on 3 November with the launch of implementation pointers, a discover inviting purposes and a devoted digital portal by the Prime Minister. The initiative is aimed toward supporting high-risk, high-impact analysis and strengthening linkages between laboratories, start-ups and {industry}.
The Department of Science and Technology has accepted the Technology Development Board and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council as the primary Second-Level Fund Managers below the RDI Fund, a Rs 1 trillion programme designed to catalyse personal sector-led analysis and innovation. Under the accepted framework, the Technology Development Board will handle tasks throughout all RDI dawn and strategic sectors, whereas BIRAC will oversee biotechnology and allied domains.
Both organisations are anticipated to situation their first requires proposals by the tip of January 2026, enabling early deployment of RDI assets to innovation-led ventures which have progressed past Technology Readiness Level 4. The deadline for purposes from different potential Second-Level Fund Managers is 31 January 2026, with eligible entities together with Alternative Investment Funds, Development Finance Institutions, Non-Banking Finance Companies and Focused Research Organisations.
Following the formal rollout, the Department of Science and Technology obtained numerous queries from stakeholders looking for readability on the implementation pointers. These had been examined and addressed, after which the web portal was operationalised to obtain purposes for Second-Level Fund Managers. In line with Cabinet provisions, BIRAC and the Technology Development Board had been invited on a nomination foundation to take up the preliminary roles.
The Minister was additionally knowledgeable that the Empowered Group of Secretaries, at its assembly on 12 January, accepted BIRAC and the Technology Development Board as Second-Level Fund Managers in accordance with the choice of the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. Each establishment will obtain Rs 20 billion within the first quarter, taking the preliminary allocation below the scheme to Rs 40 billion, and can invite challenge proposals from start-ups, firms and {industry} earlier than the tip of January.
Chairing the assessment, Dr Singh confused the significance of well timed execution of the RDI scheme and nearer coordination amongst science departments. He underlined that public funding in analysis and innovation should ship measurable outcomes for {industry} and society, whereas aligning with nationwide growth priorities. The assessment additionally took inventory of measures to streamline procedures, together with revisions to implementation pointers based mostly on stakeholder suggestions, to improve transparency and ease of participation.
During the discussions, the Minister reiterated that strengthening personal sector participation in analysis and growth stays a central goal of the RDI framework. He famous that the scheme is meant to assist translational analysis and foster stronger collaboration between public analysis establishments, start-ups and {industry}, enabling scientific outputs to transfer extra successfully in the direction of business and societal utility. The assembly was attended by Secretaries and senior officers from science ministries and departments, and opened with welcome remarks by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.