Modi Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Fund at ESTIC 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, making a landmark announcement that could shape India’s scientific future. The event witnessed the launch of the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, aimed at empowering private companies, startups, and researchers to take bold steps in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and clean energy.
Calling innovation the “engine of India’s growth,” Modi said the RDI Fund will serve as a financial backbone for scientists and entrepreneurs who want to turn ideas into impact. The scheme is designed to de-risk high-risk projects, providing zero- or low-interest loans and growth capital to help new technologies move from laboratories to the marketplace.
India’s Scientific Ambition Takes Center Stage
At the conclave, Modi highlighted how India’s approach to research and innovation has transformed in the last decade. “India’s R&D spending has doubled, the number of patents filed has increased 17 times, and we now have the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world,” the Prime Minister noted proudly.
He also emphasized that the government’s vision goes beyond funding. “We are not just supporting science, we are shaping a new culture of curiosity and creativity,” Modi said, addressing an audience that included scientists, innovators, and young entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the government’s initiatives to support 10,000 new research fellowships and expand STEM education across universities to nurture the next generation of innovators.
The Purpose Behind the ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Fund
The newly launched RDI Scheme will run for five years, focusing on private sector-led research. Traditionally, most research in India has been government-funded, but the Modi administration aims to change that by encouraging private companies to play a stronger role in innovation.
According to officials, the fund will support areas that are critical to India’s future — AI-driven solutions, quantum communication, semiconductor design, renewable energy, space technology, and biotechnology. By offering low-cost capital and simplified funding channels, the scheme hopes to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and government.
A senior science ministry official said,
“India’s innovation journey needs private participation. The RDI Fund is designed to make sure bold ideas don’t die due to lack of funding. This is about giving confidence to innovators who are willing to take risks.”
ESTIC 2025: India’s Global Science Showcase
The Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) is one of India’s premier platforms for discussing scientific progress and global collaboration. This year’s edition brought together scientists, researchers, industry experts, and educators from around the world.
The conclave featured sessions on quantum technologies, AI governance, clean energy transition, and space exploration, with a special focus on how India can become a global innovation hub by 2030.
Modi’s presence at the event underlined the government’s growing emphasis on science-led development. During his speech, he said, “India’s youth have the power to lead the next wave of global innovation. We have the talent, we have the technology, and now, through the RDI Fund, we have the tools.”
Building India’s Innovation Ecosystem
India’s innovation ecosystem has seen exponential growth in the last few years. From a few hundred startups a decade ago to over 100,000 registered startups today, the transformation is visible.
Experts believe the RDI Fund will further accelerate this momentum. The fund could help startups move from early-stage research to large-scale commercial deployment — something that has often been a challenge due to high costs and limited venture support in deep tech areas.
Industry leaders also welcomed the initiative. The CEO of a Bengaluru-based AI startup commented,
“This is a big step forward. Deep tech innovation takes time and money. A government-backed fund with flexible terms can help us take our prototypes to production faster.”
Clean Energy and Quantum Science in Focus
Among the sectors expected to benefit most from the fund are clean energy and quantum research. India’s push for green hydrogen, battery storage, and renewable power solutions aligns with its climate goals, while quantum computing and AI are viewed as the backbone of the future digital economy.
The RDI Fund will also enable partnerships between universities and private firms to commercialize research outcomes more efficiently. Officials said this will ensure that innovation is not confined to laboratories but reaches ordinary citizens through products and services.
A Vision for a Self-Reliant Scientific India
In closing his address, Modi urged India’s scientists and innovators to dream big. “The 21st century belongs to those who innovate. With the RDI Fund, we are investing in the dreams of every young Indian who believes in the power of science,” he said.
As India steps into an era of global competition and technological transformation, the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund could mark the start of a new chapter — one where Indian innovation is not just following the world, but leading it.