In a decisive push to fortify India’s position in the global technology arena, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sovereign technological advancement through the launch of a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
The Minister outlined a comprehensive strategy to transform India from a technology importer into a cradle of indigenous innovation, anchored in self-reliance and strategic foresight.
The RDI Fund: A Catalyst for Private Sector R&D
At the core of this strategy lies the RDI Fund, envisioned to catalyse private sector-led research in deep-tech and sunrise sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technologies.
Anchored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and implemented by the Department of Science and Technology, the scheme will offer long-term, low-interest loans and risk capital to boost innovation. A dedicated Deep-Tech Fund of Funds will further scale up private investment in transformative technologies.
Addressing India’s R&D Gap
India’s current Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) remains low, standing at around 0.64 percent of its GDP. This lags significantly behind the world’s leading innovation economies—Israel invests approximately 5.7 percent, South Korea nearly 4.8 percent, the United States about 3.5 percent, and China around 2.4 percent.
Notably, while private enterprise accounts for 70 to 90 percent of total R&D investment in many of these countries, in India it contributes only about 36 percent. The RDI Fund, therefore, seeks to reverse this imbalance by empowering Indian industry to lead in research and innovation.
Industry as a Strategic Partner
The government’s policy shift reflects a maturing confidence in the private sector’s ability to partner in nation-building. Over the past decade, previously restricted sectors such as space and atomic energy have been opened up, triggering a wave of commercial interest and technological breakthroughs. India’s space economy has grown to $8 billion and is expected to reach $40 billion in the coming years.
Dr. Singh underscored the urgency of harnessing this momentum: “India’s technological footprint is expanding, and the world is watching. This is not the time to lag; it is the time to lead.” The Minister emphasised that sovereign technology is not just a buzzword—it is a strategic imperative in a world shaped by geopolitical flux and technological dependency.
The Prime Minister’s Endorsement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the RDI Fund as a “game changer in the world of research and innovation.”
He has repeatedly emphasised that India must build not only economic strength but also “techno-strategic autonomy,” where the journey from an idea to a scalable product is driven by Indian talent, tested in Indian conditions, and deployed with Indian values. The Prime Minister has also called for India to emerge as a global hub of ethical, inclusive, and affordable AI solutions—balancing scale with social conscience.
Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Infrastructure
Dr. Singh stressed the need for India to own and build its data repositories, warning against over-reliance on foreign datasets that lack the contextual nuance essential for solving India-specific challenges.
He cited the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) as a pioneering initiative in this direction. The IBDC now hosts over 10,000 whole-genome sequences collected under the Genome India project, making it a foundational pillar for biomedical research and national data sovereignty.
Innovation from the Heartland
Equally significant is the geographic and demographic diversification of India’s startup ecosystem. Nearly half of all new startups are emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, many led by women entrepreneurs. This shift marks a quiet but powerful decentralisation of innovation. The government has introduced targeted schemes to mainstream the participation of tribals, women, and rural youth, ensuring that the benefits of high-tech development are both inclusive and equitable.
Responsible AI and Human Intelligence
On the issue of artificial intelligence, Dr. Singh advocated a hybrid model that integrates human intelligence with algorithmic power. He warned against a blind rush into automation and underscored the ethical risks of unchecked AI proliferation. Instead, the emphasis must be on designing systems that complement human insight, rooted in India’s pluralistic values and cultural sensitivities.
The Road to Viksit Bharat @2047
As India charts its journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, sovereign technology is set to play a pivotal role. Dr. Singh identified key sectors that will define India’s ascent—space exploration, biotechnology, and the blue economy. These are not merely engines of GDP growth but strategic frontiers that will shape India’s place in the emerging multipolar world.
A Declaration of Technological Independence
The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund is not merely a financial package—it is a declaration of technological independence. It signals India’s intent to stop playing catch-up and start setting the pace. In a global landscape where control over critical technologies determines strategic leverage, India is determined to emerge not as a client state of imported innovation but as a producer, partner, and pioneer.
Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded with a call to action: “In the next decade, the countries that lead in science and tech will lead the world. India has the talent, the institutions, and now the political will. The time to act is now.”
