₹1 Lakh Cr RDI Fund to Power India’s Push for Sovereign Tech Leadership

The conference brought together global and Indian industry leaders, policymakers, and technology stakeholders, as India unveiled its next major leap toward technological sovereignty.

In a bold reaffirmation of India’s commitment to self-reliance in critical technologies, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, announced a historic ₹1 lakh crore initiative to catalyze private sector-driven Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI). The announcement came during his keynote address at the ASSOCHAM Conference on “Sovereign Tech for India’s Digital Transformation”, held under the visionary theme “Bharat@100”.

The conference brought together global and Indian industry leaders, policymakers, and technology stakeholders, as India unveiled its next major leap toward technological sovereignty.

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A Massive Boost for Private Sector R&D

The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund marks the launch of an ambitious scheme aimed at creating an ecosystem where private enterprises and deep-tech innovators lead India’s transformation in strategic and sunrise sectors. The fund, envisioned as a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), will be administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Key features of the scheme include:

• Low-interest, long-term loans and risk capital for high-impact innovations

• Support for deep-tech ventures, critical technologies, and national strategic capabilities

• Creation of a Deep-Tech Fund of Funds to multiply private capital infusion

• A shift from government-dominated R&D to a collaborative industry-government innovation model

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to scale sovereign capabilities,” Dr. Singh asserted, urging the industry to rise to the occasion.

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Strategic Autonomy in Emerging Tech Sectors

Speaking passionately about the importance of strategic autonomy, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that true sovereignty in the digital age is not just territorial but technological. He pointed to reforms in the Space and Nuclear sectors, traditionally sealed off from private participation, as examples of successful liberalization.

He credited India’s space economy growth—from $8 billion to a projected $40 billion—to the government’s policy of open collaboration. He cited the participation of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla in an international mission as a milestone in India's space diplomacy and its emergence as a credible technology partner on the world stage.

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Building Indigenous Data Infrastructure

A major thrust of the conference centered around data sovereignty. Dr. Singh underscored the need for indigenous data repositories, tailored to India's context, rather than relying on foreign datasets. He showcased the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) as a model initiative, with over 10,000 whole-genome sequences cataloged under the Genome India project.

“Data is the new oil, and owning it is central to sovereign tech,” the Minister said, highlighting India’s push for independent scientific infrastructure.

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AI for Bharat: Human-Centric Innovation

In the era of rapid automation, Dr. Singh called for a hybrid model that integrates Artificial Intelligence with Human Intelligence, cautioning against a “blind rush” toward full automation.

He highlighted the National AI Mission, which aims not just to lead in machine learning technologies but to embed ethical, culturally contextualized AI systems that align with India’s diversity and democratic ethos.

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Inclusive Innovation from India’s Heartland

Dr. Singh drew attention to the emerging startup revolution from Tier-2 cities, revealing that nearly 50% of Indian startups now originate outside metros. Significantly, many are led by women entrepreneurs, reflecting the inclusive and decentralized nature of India’s tech growth.

He outlined government programs designed to mainstream innovation from underserved demographics, including tribals, rural youth, and women, under flagship initiatives like Startup India, Biotech Ignition Grant, and the STEM for Girls campaign.

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From Vaccine Maitri to Viksit Bharat

Reflecting on India’s pandemic-era achievements, Dr. Singh cited the Vaccine Maitri initiative as a template for industrial readiness, global solidarity, and indigenous capacity. He reiterated the government’s goal of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047, with sunrise sectors such as:

• Space Economy

• Biotechnology and Genomics

• Blue Economy and Marine Research

identified as key pillars of India’s future growth trajectory.

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Industry Leaders Echo Sovereignty Agenda

The conference witnessed participation from notable industry figures:

• Dr. Wolfgang Dreikär, Head of Global Government Affairs, SAP, emphasized the importance of trusted technology ecosystems

• Mr. Sunil Gupta, Co-founder & CEO of Yotta Data Services, highlighted India’s data infrastructure capabilities

• Mr. Ranjeet Goswami, Global Head of Corporate Affairs, TCS, spoke about leveraging India’s talent pool for global innovation

Their presence underscored the convergence of government and industry in redefining India’s technology narrative.

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A Sovereign Tech Future Beckons

Dr. Jitendra Singh’s address was a clarion call for a “Techno-National Movement” rooted in sovereignty, inclusion, and global leadership. With the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund acting as a financial and strategic catalyst, India is poised to not just participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution—but shape it.

As the nation prepares for its centenary in 2047, the Sovereign Tech agenda aims to place India at the forefront of secure, self-reliant, and socially responsive innovation.