Ministry of Science & Technology press release · 18 March 2026 · pibtracker filter

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION SCHEME

PRID2241755 MinistryMinistry of Science & Technology Released18 March 2026 Reading10 min

Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 3:50PM by PIB Delhi The Department of Science & Technology (DST), as the nodal Ministry for the RDI Scheme, has formulated and finalized the Implementation Guidelines for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Expenditure (DoE). These guidelines have been approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). DST has also notified Anusandhan National Research Foundation (Utilization of Research, Development and Innovation Fund) Financial Rules 2026. The scheme being operationalized through a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), uses a two-tiered funding structure. Under this mechanism, the SPF will be the first level custodian of RDI Fund and will channels funds to Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). As per the approved framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) and launched calls for project proposals on 4 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, respectively. Further, a call inviting applications from additional eligible entities, including Fund of Funds, to act as SLFMs was issued, which closed on 31 January 2026. Applications have been received and the selection process is currently underway. The SLFMs will provide funding to eligible technology entities, including startups, companies, and industry-led R&D projects, for development of technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above in sunrise sectors. These include energy security, energy transition and climate action; deep technologies such as quantum computing, robotics and space; artificial intelligence and its applications in agriculture, health and education; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and the digital economy, including digital agriculture. With regard to strengthening the digital agriculture sector, the Scheme supports relevant sub-sectors such as Digital Agriculture (AgriTech), precision agriculture and soil health, AI-enabled agriculture solutions, remote sensing, smart irrigation, climate-smart input optimization, digital soil health monitoring and advisory systems, agri-data and yield analytics platforms, drone-based solutions for crop monitoring, spraying and land mapping, digital farm-to-market value chains, blockchain-based produce traceability and contract farming platforms, and other technology-driven interventions aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in the agriculture sector. The Scheme also provides flexibility to include additional sub-sectors, based on the recommendations of the concerned Ministries/Departments and subject to necessary approvals. A 'Krishi Sewa' mobile application has also been developed to support farmers in agricultural activities. advanced AI, sensor systems, and UAVs have been integrated for farm mechanization, processing, and value addition. Additionally, the 'Kisan-Sarathi' portal, a multimedia, multilingual digital agricultural advisory platform has been implemented through 731 KVKs under ICAR to provide localized extension services. This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. ***** NKR/FT/AK/NM (Release ID: 2241755) Visitor Counter : 407 Read this release in: Urdu , हिन्दी Ministry of Science & Technology PARLIAMENT QUESTION: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION SCHEME Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 3:50PM by PIB Delhi The Department of Science & Technology (DST), as the nodal Ministry for the RDI Scheme, has formulated and finalized the Implementation Guidelines for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Expenditure (DoE). These guidelines have been approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). DST has also notified Anusandhan National Research Foundation (Utilization of Research, Development and Innovation Fund) Financial Rules 2026. The scheme being operationalized through a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), uses a two-tiered funding structure. Under this mechanism, the SPF will be the first level custodian of RDI Fund and will channels funds to Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). As per the approved framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) and launched calls for project proposals on 4 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, respectively. Further, a call inviting applications from additional eligible entities, including Fund of Funds, to act as SLFMs was issued, which closed on 31 January 2026. Applications have been received and the selection process is currently underway. The SLFMs will provide funding to eligible technology entities, including startups, companies, and industry-led R&D projects, for development of technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above in sunrise sectors. These include energy security, energy transition and climate action; deep technologies such as quantum computing, robotics and space; artificial intelligence and its applications in agriculture, health and education; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and the digital economy, including digital agriculture. With regard to strengthening the digital agriculture sector, the Scheme supports relevant sub-sectors such as Digital Agriculture (AgriTech), precision agriculture and soil health, AI-enabled agriculture solutions, remote sensing, smart irrigation, climate-smart input optimization, digital soil health monitoring and advisory systems, agri-data and yield analytics platforms, drone-based solutions for crop monitoring, spraying and land mapping, digital farm-to-market value chains, blockchain-based produce traceability and contract farming platforms, and other technology-driven interventions aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in the agriculture sector. The Scheme also provides flexibility to include additional sub-sectors, based on the recommendations of the concerned Ministries/Departments and subject to necessary approvals. A 'Krishi Sewa' mobile application has also been developed to support farmers in agricultural activities. advanced AI, sensor systems, and UAVs have been integrated for farm mechanization, processing, and value addition. Additionally, the 'Kisan-Sarathi' portal, a multimedia, multilingual digital agricultural advisory platform has been implemented through 731 KVKs under ICAR to provide localized extension services. This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. ***** NKR/FT/AK/NM (Release ID: 2241755) The Department of Science & Technology (DST), as the nodal Ministry for the RDI Scheme, has formulated and finalized the Implementation Guidelines for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Expenditure (DoE). These guidelines have been approved by the Executive Council of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). DST has also notified Anusandhan National Research Foundation (Utilization of Research, Development and Innovation Fund) Financial Rules 2026. The scheme being operationalized through a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) established within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), uses a two-tiered funding structure. Under this mechanism, the SPF will be the first level custodian of RDI Fund and will channels funds to Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). As per the approved framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) and launched calls for project proposals on 4 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, respectively. Further, a call inviting applications from additional eligible entities, including Fund of Funds, to act as SLFMs was issued, which closed on 31 January 2026. Applications have been received and the selection process is currently underway. The SLFMs will provide funding to eligible technology entities, including startups, companies, and industry-led R&D projects, for development of technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above in sunrise sectors. These include energy security, energy transition and climate action; deep technologies such as quantum computing, robotics and space; artificial intelligence and its applications in agriculture, health and education; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and the digital economy, including digital agriculture.   With regard to strengthening the digital agriculture sector, the Scheme supports relevant sub-sectors such as Digital Agriculture (AgriTech), precision agriculture and soil health, AI-enabled agriculture solutions, remote sensing, smart irrigation, climate-smart input optimization, digital soil health monitoring and advisory systems, agri-data and yield analytics platforms, drone-based solutions for crop monitoring, spraying and land mapping, digital farm-to-market value chains, blockchain-based produce traceability and contract farming platforms, and other technology-driven interventions aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in the agriculture sector. The Scheme also provides flexibility to include additional sub-sectors, based on the recommendations of the concerned Ministries/Departments and subject to necessary approvals. A 'Krishi Sewa' mobile application has also been developed to support farmers in agricultural activities. advanced AI, sensor systems, and UAVs have been integrated for farm mechanization, processing, and value addition. Additionally, the 'Kisan-Sarathi' portal, a multimedia, multilingual digital agricultural advisory platform has been implemented through 731 KVKs under ICAR to provide localized extension services.  This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. ***** NKR/FT/AK/NM " /> var mPlayer = document.getElementById("background_music"); var mPlayAction = document.getElementById("playbutton"); var isPlaying = false; function playAudio() { mPlayer.play(); isPlaying = true; document.getElementById('stopA').style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('playA').style.display = "none"; } function pauseAudio() { mPlayer.pause(); isPlaying = false; document.getElementById('playA').style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('stopA').style.display = "none"; } //function HandleAudio() { // if (isPlaying == true) { // //Playing already Pause it // pauseAudio(); // } else { // //Play the music // playAudio(); // } //} var synth = window.speechSynthesis; function CleanHtml(html) { html = html.replace(/ /gi, ''); return html; } function stripHtml(html) { let tmp = document.createElement("DIV"); tmp.innerHTML = CleanHtml(html); return tmp.textContent || tmp.innerText || ""; } $(document).ready(function () { //for responsive tables $("table").each(function () { if (!$(this).closest(".table-responsive").length) { $(this).wrap(" "); } }); var width = $(window).width(); if (width $(document).ready(function () { var width = $(window).width(); if (width @media print { .sticky-social, .sticky-social_mb, .pull-right, #printPDF { display: none !important; } } .f_vl { padding-right: 30px; font-size: 17px; cursor: pointer; } .log_oo { // width: 20%; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; } .log_oo img { width: 150px; /*width: 100%; height: auto;*/ } .sticky-social_mb { position: fixed; bottom: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; width: 100%; } .social_mb { list-style: none; display: flex; width: 100%; margin-bottom: -8px; } .social_mb a { padding: 8px 0px; font-size: 30px; transition: all 0.8s ease-in-out; width: 20% !important; text-align: center; } .section1 { position: relative; padding: 10px 0px; width: 100%; } .sticky-social { position: fixed; top: 20px; left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; } .social { list-style: none; } .social a li { padding: 8px 12px; font-size: 25px; transition: all 0.8s ease-in-out; } .social a li:hover { margin-right: -30px; box-shadow: 2px 5px 10px grey; } .social a li:hover .fa { margin-left: 20px; } .fb_b { /* background-color: rgb(59, 89, 152);*/ background-color: rgba(65,103,178,255); } .twitter_r { /* background-color: rgb(29, 161, 242);*/ background-color: #000000; } .whatsapp_r { /* background-color: rgb(77, 194, 71);*/ background-color: rgba(13,191,67,255); } .fa-envelope_r { /* background-color: rgb(219, 68, 55);*/ background-color: #e2123d; } .fa-linkedin_r { background-color: rgb(0, 119, 181); } @media only screen and (max-device-width: 767px) { p span img { max-width: 90% !important; height: auto !important; } p img { max-width: 90% !important; height: auto !important; } h2 { font-size: 20px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; } h3 { font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; } } /* === Film Roll Badge Styling(IFFI2025 countdown) === */ .film-roll-badge { position: absolute; top:82%; right: 20px; width: 230px; height: 70px; background: repeating-linear-gradient( to right, #9a2375 0px, #9a2375 18px, #6e2b8b 18px, #6e2b8b 36px ); border-top: 8px solid #9a2375; border-bottom: 8px solid #9a2375; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); animation: moveFilm 8s linear infinite; z-index: 10; } /* film sprocket holes */ .film-roll-badge::before, .film-roll-badge::after { content: ""; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 10px; background: repeating-linear-gradient( to right, #9a2375 0px, #9a2375 10px, #fff 10px, #fff 20px ); left: 0; z-index: 2; } .film-roll-badge::before { top: -4px; } .film-roll-badge::after { bottom: -4px; } .film-roll-inner { position: relative; height: 100%; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; animation: flicker 2s infinite ease-in-out; } .countdown-text { font-size: 1.3rem; font-weight: 700; color: #fff; text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4), 0 0 10px #000; white-space: nowrap; } /* === Animations === */ @keyframes moveFilm { 0% { background-position: 0 0; } 100% { background-position: 120px 0; } } @keyframes flicker { 0%, 100% { opacity: 1; } 50% { opacity: 0.9; } 25% { opacity: 0.95; } 75% { opacity: 0.85; } } /* === Responsive Adjustments === */ @media (max-width: 1500px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 68%; right: 18px; /* width: 220px; */ height: 65px; font-size: 0.85rem; } .press-section { margin-top: 35px; } } @media (max-width: 992px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 52%; right: 10px; width: 200px; height: 60px; } } @media (max-width: 768px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 56%; right: 10px; width: 124px; height: 55px; } .countdown-text { font-size: 0.9rem; } } @media (max-width: 576px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 59%; right: 5px; /* width: 160px; */ height: 50px; } .countdown-text { font-size: 0.85rem; } } const festivalStart = new Date("2025-11-20T00:00:00").getTime(); const festivalEnd = new Date("2025-11-28T23:59:59").getTime(); const countdownElement = document.getElementById("countdown"); const interval = setInterval(() => { const now = new Date().getTime(); // BEFORE FESTIVAL — show days + hours left if (now = festivalStart && now el.style.width = "350px"); clearInterval(interval); } }, 1000); //

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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION SCHEME

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