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Modi, Narendra

India Launches é 1 Lakh Crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the é 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, marking a significant step towards building a private sector-driven research and innovation ecosystem in India. The initiative aims to accelerate the country's transformation into a global science and technology hub. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of inclusive innovation, highlighting the growing participation of women in science and technology, and announced the expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs and the introduction of Prime Minister's Research Fellowships to nurture young talent.

Key Takeaways:

  • The RDI Scheme aims to support high-risk, high-impact projects and strengthen R&D collaboration between government, industry, and academia, with a total investment of é 1 lakh crore.
  • India's R&D expenditure has doubled in the last decade, patent registrations have increased 17-fold, and the country now ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 6,000 deep-tech startups engaged in clean energy, advanced materials, and emerging technologies.
  • Women now make up about 43% of STEM enrolments in India, higher than the global average.
  • Atal Tinkering Labs will be expanded from 10,000 existing labs to 25,000 new ones to inspire curiosity and experimentation among students.
  • 10,000 new Prime Minister's Research Fellowships will be awarded over the next five years to boost research among young scientists.
  • The India AI Mission carries an investment of over é 10,000 crore and aims to develop ethical and human-centric AI.
  • India will host the Global AI Summit in February 2026 to strengthen global cooperation on safe and inclusive AI governance.

Statistics:

  • India's R&D expenditure has doubled in the last decade.
  • Patent registrations in India increased 17-fold.
  • India ranks as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.
  • Over 6,000 deep-tech startups are engaged in clean energy, advanced materials, and emerging technologies.
  • Women make up about 43% of STEM enrolments in India, higher than the global average.
  • The India AI Mission carries an investment of over é 10,000 crore.

Sources:

  • Multimedia Investments Ltd
  • Contify.com

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