Centre launches RDI Fund to boost indigenous tech commercialisation

With the objective of strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem by supporting the commercialisation of indigenous technologies through structured, long-term financing, the government on Wednesday launched the first open call of the Technology Development Board under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.

The 1 lakh crore RDI Fund was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2025 and launched by PM Narendra Modi in November 2025 to spur private sector-led research and technological advancement across the country. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the initiative represented a rare and significant departure from conventional government funding models.