Jitendra Singh Launches First Open Call Under RDI Fund to Boost High-Risk Tech Commercialisation

On February 4, 2026, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, officially launched the inaugural open call under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund managed by the Technology Development Board (TDB). This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering innovation by supporting the commercialisation of high-risk technologies in India. The RDI Fund aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and market-ready products, encouraging startups and established companies to take bold technological leaps.

The Technology Development Board, a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, has been instrumental in promoting indigenous technology development. With the introduction of the RDI Fund, the board is now focusing on providing financial assistance to projects that involve high-risk, high-reward technologies. These projects often struggle to secure funding due to their uncertain outcomes despite their potential to transform industries and drive economic growth.

The first open call under this fund invites applications from innovators, startups, and companies engaged in cutting-edge research across various sectors, including biotechnology, information technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. By offering grants and equity funding, the RDI Fund aims to de-risk the commercialisation process, enabling innovators to scale their technologies from prototypes to viable products.

This move aligns with the broader national agenda to position India as a global hub for technology innovation and entrepreneurship. By supporting high-risk projects, the government hopes to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies that can address critical challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and digital transformation. The fund also encourages collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions, fostering an ecosystem conducive to innovation.

The launch event highlighted the importance of government intervention in nurturing nascent technologies that might otherwise be overlooked by traditional investors. Dr. Singh emphasized that the RDI Fund is designed to complement existing schemes by focusing specifically on high-risk ventures that require patient capital and strategic support. The initiative is expected to catalyse private sector investment by demonstrating the viability of emerging technologies.

In summary, the first open call under the RDI Fund represents a proactive approach by the Indian government to stimulate technological advancement and economic development. By targeting high-risk tech commercialisation, the fund addresses a critical funding gap, encouraging innovators to pursue ambitious projects with transformative potential. This initiative could significantly impact India's innovation landscape, promoting sustainable growth and global competitiveness.