Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to strengthen India’s science and technology ecosystem and promote indigenous innovation. The initiative, first announced in Budget FY26, aims to fund high-risk, high-impact projects, especially in the private sector, marking a major step in India’s innovation-led growth journey.

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•  ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme launched to accelerate research, product development using local technology.
•  PM said R&D expenditure has doubled in a decade, patents surged 17-fold, and India now 3rd-largest startup ecosystem.
•  Establishment of Anusandhan National Research Foundation announced to boost university research.
•  Scheme to fund private-sector innovation — first time capital directed toward high-risk R&D.
•  Over 6,000 deep-tech startups driving clean energy, advanced materials, and new technologies.
•  Bio-economy expanded from $10 billion (2014) to $140 billion (2025); strong gains in semiconductors, quantum tech, green hydrogen.
• Women’s patent filings rose from under 100 to over 5,000 annually; STEM enrollment now 43%, above global average.
•  25,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs to be added, engaging over 1 crore students nationwide.
•  10,000 PM Research Fellowships to nurture young researchers over five years.
•  Modi emphasized ethical AI, launched ₹10,000 crore India AI Mission, and announced Global AI Summit 2026.
•  Concluded with “Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan,” expressing faith in innovation-led India’s future.