Quantum, AI sovereignty, along with indigenous ecosystems, will define India’s next-generation growth: Dr Jitendra Singh

Quantum and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sovereignty, along with indigenous ecosystems, will define India’s next-generation growth, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said on Saturday.

The Minister said India’s future growth in deep-tech sectors will depend on the country’s ability to adopt a trusted integrated approach. And this is precisely what prompted the launch of the “Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund” Scheme, which is aimed at accelerating private sector participation in research and development.

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Addressing a programme organised by the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, Dr Singh highlighted that India is moving towards a new phase of innovation-driven growth through coordinated initiatives in quantum technologies, deep-tech financing and industry-led research ecosystems.

During the programme, agreements for five projects under the RDI Fund Scheme were signed, the first electronic fund disbursement under the scheme was released, a compendium on the status report of the RDI Scheme was launched, and a report on “Quantum-Safe Ecosystem in India” was formally released.

Marking another major milestone under the RDI framework, TDB also carried out the first electronic fund disbursement under the scheme. As part of the initial tranche release, Rs 50 crore was electronically transferred to M/s Eyestem Research Private Limited to support the advancement and commercialisation of its indigenous cell therapy platform.

A Compendium on the Status Report of Technology Development Board (TDB) as the Second Level Fund Manager (SLFM) under RDI Scheme till April 2026 was also released during the programme. The compendium presents the progress achieved by TDB in operationalising the RDI Fund, encompassing details of proposals received, sector-wise distribution, project evaluation and appraisal mechanisms, approved projects, funding trends, and the Board’s sustained efforts towards enabling the commercialisation of high-impact cutting-edge indigenous technologies across strategic sectors.

The publication further highlights the emerging innovation landscape under the RDI initiative by showcasing projects spanning deep-tech, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, space technologies, healthcare, energy transition, climate technologies, and digital infrastructure, thereby reflecting the growing momentum of India’s research-to-commercialisation ecosystem.

Highlighting the importance of the RDI initiative, Dr Singh said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has adopted several out-of-the-box approaches to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and create enabling conditions for private investment in research and development.

He noted that, unlike conventional models where governments expect industry participation independently, India has adopted a proactive approach by creating institutional and financial support mechanisms for private-sector-led innovation.

The Minister said the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to creating an ecosystem where startups, MSMEs and industry can emerge as long-term innovation partners.

Referring to the broader reforms undertaken in sectors such as space and deep technology, he said the Government has consistently encouraged institutional openness and stakeholder participation. He noted that reforms in the space sector have demonstrated how strategic policy interventions can unlock innovation and public participation in advanced technology sectors.