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TDB Launches First RDI Fund Open Call

  • 05 Feb 2026

On 4th February 2026, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh launched the first open call of the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem through long-term financing for indigenous technologies.

Key Points

  • Major Policy Initiative: The first open call was launched under the Technology Development Board as part of the RDI Fund, marking a shift towards structured, government-backed financing for technology commercialisation.
  • Institutional Framework: The initiative operates under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, aimed at supporting high-risk and high-impact innovation.
  • Addressing Funding Gaps: The Minister stated that the RDI Fund fills a long-standing gap by enabling direct financial support to private sector innovation beyond philanthropy and CSR-driven models.
  • Corpus and Financing Terms: The RDI Fund has a total corpus of ₹1 lakh crore and offers concessional financing at interest rates of about 2–4 percent with repayment tenures of up to 15 years, including moratorium provisions.
  • Risk-Sharing Model: The fund provides long-term and affordable capital with equity-linked options, reducing financial risk for innovators while ensuring accountability.
  • Strong Initial Response: The first call has already received nearly 191 proposals, mostly from the private sector, reflecting growing confidence in government-led innovation financing.
  • Focus Areas: The initial call targets projects at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above, particularly in artificial intelligence, energy and deep-tech sectors.
  • Funding Structure: Support of up to 50 percent of the total project cost will be provided through Second Level Fund Managers using loan, equity or hybrid instruments, with matching contributions from private entities.
  • Collateral-Free Support: The scheme offers collateral-free financing without personal or corporate guarantees, lowering entry barriers for technology developers.
  • Evaluation and Timelines: Proposals will be assessed on scientific, technological, financial and commercial merit, with approvals targeted within eight weeks.