Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

Last checked 11 Oct 2026 against the official scheme page. Terms and dates can change, so confirm on the official site before you apply.

Debt at up to 50% of project cost; equity at 50% of each funding round (via fund managers)

Funding available

Rs 1 lakh crore fund approved July 2025 that gives long-tenure, low-cost financing to private firms and DPIIT-recognised startups in strategic tech through second-level fund managers such as TDB.

Eligibility Criteria

Private companies including DPIIT-recognised startups in R&D-intensive strategic technologies; apply through empanelled second-level fund managers.

What You Get

Low-cost loan or equity from fund managers

Similar Schemes

FoF 2.0

Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0

Corpus Rs 10,000 crore, routed through AIFs

NIDHI-SSP

NIDHI Seed Support Programme

Up to Rs 1 crore per startup (per playbook summary table; subject to TBI guidelines)

NIDHI-TBI

NIDHI Technology Business Incubator

Capital and recurring support to incubators (see guidelines)

Apply on the official government portal

Apply Now

Quick Facts

Governing Body: Anusandhan National Research Foundation / DST
Ministry / Dept: DST
Level: Central Government
Status: Ongoing

Startup Stage

Growth

Target Sectors

Deep Tech