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India’s Deep-Tech Moment: 22 Projects Receive Backing Under RDI Fund
India has chosen 22 projects for the first group supported by its large research fund.
Fourteen of these projects are startups.
Thirteen work on advanced technologies such as space vehicles, satellites, secure communications, chips, drones, robots and batteries.
The projects together involve ₹4,744 crore in research and development.
The fund gives loans at relatively low interest for as long as 15 years.
Companies do not need to provide collateral or personal guarantees.
Their intellectual property must stay in India, and Indian citizens must keep control.
The fund is intended to help Indian ideas become useful products.
The first RDI Fund cohort includes 22 projects involving ₹4,744 crore in research and development.
Fourteen of the projects are startups, while 13 focus on deep-tech areas such as satellites, robotics, chips and batteries.
Projects come from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Thane, Noida and Pune.
The fund offers financing at 3% to 4% interest for up to 15 years, without collateral or personal guarantees.
Funding requires intellectual property to remain in India and control to remain with Indian citizens.
- Who
- The 22 selected projects, including 14 startups, are being supported through India’s Research, Development and Innovation Scheme; Dr. Sudhir Mehta discussed the first cohort.
- What
- The first cohort received backing under the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund, covering ₹4,744 crore in research and development.
- Where
- The projects come from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Thane, Noida and Pune, India.
- When
- The first cohort was announced on September 29, 2026; the scheme was approved on July 1, 2025, and launched on November 3, 2025.
- Why
- The scheme aims to encourage private companies and startups to pursue high-risk research and development and turn new technologies into commercial products.
Key facts
- Fund size
- ₹1 lakh crore
- First cohort
- 22 projects
- Startups
- 14 projects
- Deep-tech projects
- 13 projects
- Research and development value
- ₹4,744 crore
- Financing terms
- 3% to 4% interest for up to 15 years
- Conditions
- Intellectual property must remain in India, and control must remain with Indian citizens
Quotes
Dr. Sudhir Mehta
Industrialist and member of the Technology Development Board’s Investment Committee
“After sitting across the table from these founders, I have no doubt. India's top-notch deep tech companies are being built right now. The capital is ready. The founders are ready. This decade belongs to Indian deep tech.”
businesstoday.in
“India's problem was never ideas. It was patient capital.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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