A brand new 1 lakh crore initiative is targeted at inducing private investment in research and is considered as the platform for the next wave of Indian scientific and technological breakthroughs.
It was a major step for India to establish itself as a science and technology leader, which was evident in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the jam-packed Bharat Mandapam, greeted thousands of participants to the Emerging Science & Technology Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025.
The event featured not only talks but also the launch of a historic Rs 1 lakh-crore fund dedicated to research and innovation, a move that could transform India’s innovation landscape for years to come. Among the many distinguished guests were Nobel laureates, researchers, and industry leaders.
The atmosphere at ESTIC was optimistic and even festive as the Prime Minister went up to the podium. In his address, he considered the conclave as the solution to the identified need of having a platform where international specialists and policymakers could share ideas, break silos, and jointly advance science.
According to him, the event was established on the premise that the problems of today require collaboration, new ideas, and taking bold steps – a point that is very much reflected in the event’s program and the hefty financial package available.
The launching of the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund was the highlight of the morning. This is not a run-of-the-mill government grant. The fund of Rs 1 lakh-crore is set up to entice the private sector to put money into risky and potentially rewarding research activities. Indian private companies will be allowed for the first time to get a hold of substantial capital for projects that may be long-term but have the capacity to revolutionize entire industries.
PM Modi, addressing the audience, said: the fund is the one we are talking about. It is the fund that should be used by those who dare, those who take risks, and those who think India is capable of being the leader, not the follower, of the global innovation stage. “I am handing over this Rs 1 lakh crore to you. It is meant to increase your capabilities. It is meant to open new opportunities for you,” he said, indicating a drastic change in India’s strategy of research and involvement of the private sector.
It did not stop with the Rs 1 lakh-crore fund. The formation of the Anusandhan Research Foundation will help promote Research and Innovation in the university sectors. Through the development of more avenues for academic and technological exploration, the foundation is expected to bridge the gap between the theory taught in the classroom and practical, real-world results.
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate recent scientific achievements. PM Modi singled out the speedy development of the Indian Covid vaccine and the rapid deployment of the world’s largest vaccination program as things to be proud of. He cited the country’s robust digital infrastructure and the successful launch of GSAT-7R, India’s heaviest communication satellite, as a result of a combination of talent, ambition, and public-private collaboration.
ESTIC 2025 itself is a testament to India’s growing confidence in its scientific community. Over 3,000 attendees are participating, discussing breakthroughs and aspirations across 11 ambitious themes: from quantum technology to bio-manufacturing, clean energy, digital communications, agriculture, and more.
Besides panel discussions and research showcases, the Prime Minister unveiled a vision document outlining India’s strategic roadmap for science and technology for the next ten years and released a coffee table book celebrating national achievements.
The mood at ESTIC 2025 is that of tentative hope. For a long time, India was recognized as a technology consumer, basically, a follower of global trends. However, the country with its sweeping investment plans and a deliberate choice to go for research-led growth is now setting itself up to be a leader in innovation.
The fund of 1 lakh crore is not just a mere figure; rather it exemplifies the willingness of India to place significant bets on her researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. If the ideas that have been exchanged and the partnerships that have been forged during ESTIC 2025 happen to be successful, India will be writing perhaps her most exciting chapter yet in science and technology.
