RDI Fund payouts spark concern over potential ministerial conflict

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme is proposed to fund projects with transformative potential at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 4 and higher.
• 02The RDI Fund has been approved by the Union Cabinet with a total outlay of ₹1 Lakh crore.
• 03The Department of Science & Technology (DST) is the nodal department for implementing the RDI Scheme.
• 04A Special Purpose Fund (SPF) is being set up under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to serve as a two-tiered funding structure.
• 05Seven members of the committee have personal stakes in companies chosen for receiving money from the RDI Fund, raising potential conflict of interest concerns.
• 06The Prime Minister launched the RDI Scheme at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 in New Delhi.

Trap alerts

• Most people think the RDI Fund is solely for funding research projects, but actually it also enables the acquisition of key technologies of strategic importance.
• Most people think the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is only a beneficiary of the RDI Scheme, but actually it serves significant roles in India's research ecosystem.