India technology and research funding initiatives

India is implementing several large-scale government funding initiatives to bolster its research, development, and technology sectors. Through the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, the government has selected an initial cohort of 22 projects, including 14 startups and 13 deep-tech projects. These projects focus on advanced fields such as quantum-secure communication, chip design, robotics, and reusable launch vehicles. Additionally, the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech (PRIP) scheme has approved approximately ₹1,600 crore for 41 projects involving companies like Biocon and Bharat Biotech to advance drug discovery and medical technologies.

Efforts to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem have expanded to include regional and artificial intelligence-specific investments. The Delhi state cabinet approved ₹50 crore for the GO-DELHI Foundation to provide mentorship and infrastructure to over 21,000 startups. Nationally, the government has committed ₹10,372 crore to 190 projects under the IndiaAI Mission, though experts have highlighted the ongoing necessity for localized datasets to train AI models for regional languages.