Indian Government's R&D Funding Initiatives for Emerging Technologies
The Indian government has detailed its comprehensive strategy for promoting research and innovation in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, semiconductors, biotechnology, and other emerging technologies through multiple mission-mode programs with substantial budget allocations. The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund leads with the largest allocation of ₹1.0 lakh crore covering deep technologies including quantum computing, robotics, space, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital economy, and energy security and transition.
Major Scheme Budget Allocations
The India Semiconductor Mission receives ₹76,000 crore for semiconductor fabrication, packaging, design, and ecosystem development. The India AI Mission is allocated ₹10,371.92 crore specifically for artificial intelligence development. The Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme has ₹9,197 crore for biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and biofoundry. The National Quantum Mission (NQM) receives ₹6,003.65 crore for quantum computing, communication, sensing & metrology, and materials & devices. The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) is allocated ₹3,660 crore for artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, robotics, cybersecurity and other emerging technologies.
Research Infrastructure and Hub Development
Under NM-ICPS, 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIH) have been established across the country, while the National Quantum Mission has established 4 Technology Hubs (T-Hub). These hubs are distributed across various states and focus on specific verticals including robotics & AI systems, cybersecurity, digital healthcare, mining, artificial intelligence and machine learning, IoT technologies, data services, computer vision, device technology, speech/video/text analytics, sensors and controls, autonomous navigation, data analytics, underwater exploration, human-computer interaction, cobotics, collaborative systems, agriculture & water technologies, advanced communication, bio-CPS, data science, cognitive computing, quantum technologies, positioning technologies, and fintech.
R&D Expenditure Growth and Infrastructure Support
According to the Research and Development Statistics 2025-26 report by the Department of Science and Technology, Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP has increased from 0.64% in 2020-21 to 0.84% in 2023-24. In absolute terms, GERD has more than tripled from ₹79,355.89 crore in 2013-14 to ₹2,44,767.81 crore in 2023-24. The government supports research infrastructure through schemes like Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST), Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE), Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF), Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI), and DBT-BUILDER programme.
Talent Development and Retention Initiatives
Multiple fellowship programs support young researchers and attract overseas talent, including National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (NPDF), Ramanujan Fellowship, INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship, Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship, Biomedical Research Career Programme, MK Bhan-Young Researcher Fellowship, and VAIBHAV fellowship which provides a platform for overseas scientists including Non-Resident Indians to undertake collaborative research in Indian institutions.
The government continues to promote greater investment in research through enhanced public funding, increased private sector participation, philanthropic contributions, and stronger industry-academia collaboration, including establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to catalyze private investment.