PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEEP TECH STARTUP POLICY
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEEP TECH STARTUP POLICY
The Government has been taking substantial and coordinated initiatives at multiple levels to support deep-tech startups. In this regard, the Union Cabinet approved the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme on 01 July 2025 to promote enhanced participation of the private sector in research and development. The Scheme envisages a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore over a period of six years.
The sunrise sectors identified under the RDI Scheme include, inter alia, deep technologies such as quantum computing, robotics and space technologies; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; artificial intelligence and its applications in agriculture, health and education; energy security and energy transition including climate action; and the digital economy including digital agriculture. The Scheme also supports technologies critical for strategic requirements, economic security and Atmanirbharta, as well as other sectors or technologies considered necessary in public interest.
In addition, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been implementing the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) since 2016, which is a flagship programme aimed at converting technology-driven ideas into successful startups. NIDHI supports scouting, incubation, and scaling of innovations through a nationwide network of DST-supported Technology Business Incubators, fostering an innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem aligned with national priorities.
Furthermore, the National Quantum Mission has been launched by the Union Cabinet on 19 April 2023 with a total outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023‑24 to 2030‑31 to accelerate research, development, and deployment of quantum technologies, including quantum computing, communication, and sensing. Similarly, the Bio-E3 Policy is being implemented to promote biotechnology entrepreneurship, biomanufacturing, and bio-based innovation, creating an enabling environment for startups to scale their solutions in emerging biotechnologies.
The key challenges in supporting deep-tech startups include high capital and infrastructure requirements, long gestation periods, technology and market risks, limited availability of patient capital, and the need for specialised talent, testing, and validation facilities. These challenges are being addressed through mission-mode programmes, long-term financing mechanisms, incubation and mentoring support, and public-private partnerships under various Government initiatives.
The Government is implementing a comprehensive and coordinated framework to strengthen deep-tech hubs, promote industry–academia collaboration, and accelerate the commercialisation of research outcomes in the country.
In this regard, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has launched multiple programmes under its Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA), including the 2D Innovation Hub, MedTech Mission, Electric Vehicle (EV) Mission, Artificial Intelligence for Science & Engineering (AI-SE), CRM Research Programme, among others. These initiatives are designed to facilitate university–industry partnerships, develop incubation ecosystems, and enable multi-stage engagement models for nurturing and scaling deep-tech ventures.
Further, the ANRF Translational Research and Innovation (ATRI) initiative aims to bring together all key stakeholders to channelise expertise and resources to unlock India’s innovation potential. Under this initiative, ATRI Centres will be established to provide targeted support for advancing promising technologies from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 7, thereby strengthening the innovation pipeline from laboratory to market. Participation of relevant industries, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and startups is a mandatory component of this initiative.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as an integral part of the National Innovation System (NIS), is actively engaged in establishing and operating state-of-the-art incubation facilities to support technology translation and entrepreneurship. Representative CSIR incubation centres include the Venture Centre at CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (Pune), Atal Incubation Centre at CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (Hyderabad), Nutra-Phyto Incubation Centre at CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (Mysuru), Technology Business Incubator at CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (Jammu), and the Innovation-cum-Incubation Centre at CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (Bengaluru) in collaboration with the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC). These centres provide startups with R&D support, prototyping facilities, access to advanced instrumentation, and advisory services.
In addition, the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet, complements these initiatives by providing long-tenor, low-interest and patient capital, including support through Deep-Tech Funds of Funds, for high-risk and high-impact research and innovation. The RDI Scheme strengthens downstream financing and commercialisation of technologies emerging from ANRF programmes and CSIR incubation ecosystems, thereby reinforcing an end-to-end innovation pipeline from research to market.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha on 12th February 2026.