India Poised to Lead Bio-Tech Revolution with ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Innovation Fund

Dr. Singh underscored that domestic institutional capital will be crucial to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State for Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has stated that the next major global transformation will be bio-driven, and India is at the forefront of this shift due to its expanding deep-tech ecosystem, growing startup landscape, and increasing domestic capital availability.

Speaking at an exclusive FireChat session hosted by the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) in New Delhi, Dr. Singh hailed the recently announced ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund as a landmark initiative. Designed to support high-risk, high-reward projects, the fund offers long-term capital with low interest and risk-sharing mechanisms, signalling the Government's intent to attract and accelerate private investments in futuristic research.

He noted that India's innovation sector is undergoing a historic transition. While the previous decade saw a surge in IT, fintech, and digital solutions, the coming era will be defined by deep-tech breakthroughs in biotechnology, quantum computing, space technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen, advanced materials, renewable energy, and AI-driven science applications.

Dr. Singh highlighted that unlike earlier decades where India delayed technology adoption, the country is now among the first movers in establishing national policies for biotechnology and opening strategic sectors such as space and atomic energy to private industry participation. This policy shift, he said, was driven by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has placed scientific innovation at the center of India's development model.

The Minister also emphasized the rise of India's startup movement beyond metropolitan hubs. Out of nearly 1.75–2 lakh startups, close to 60,000 originate from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, demonstrating the democratization of innovation. He shared anecdotes reflecting how young students—even from remote aspirational districts—are now well-informed about national science programs due to widespread digital access.

India's strength, he added, also lies in unique regional innovation opportunities such as the Himalayan ecosystem, aroma-based industries, coastal and blue economy, agriculture tech, and bio-manufacturing. Missions like the Aroma Mission have already created thousands of rural entrepreneurs building export-grade products.

Dr. Singh underscored that domestic institutional capital will be crucial to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. With 1,700 Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) contributing commitments exceeding ₹15 lakh crore, investor confidence in India's innovation potential is rising.

The RDI Fund will strengthen the full ecosystem—from fundamental research to commercialization—enabling India to shift from Make in India to Invent in India. Institutions like ANRF, IN-SPACe, and BIRAC will support predictable and structured collaboration between academia, industry, startups, and investors.

Looking ahead, Dr. Singh expressed confidence that India will leapfrog traditional development models, much like its transition from landlines to mobile technology. He reaffirmed that the Government is committed to creating an enabling and predictable policy environment and called upon investors and entrepreneurs to view this decade as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

He concluded by stating that India is ready not just to participate in future technologies—but to lead them globally.