Mon Nov 03 06:37:27 UTC 2025: Summary:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, emphasizing India’s commitment to becoming a science and technology powerhouse. He announced the launch of a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund to encourage private sector investment in R&D, particularly in high-risk, high-impact projects. Modi highlighted reforms aimed at fostering a conducive ecosystem for innovation, including streamlined financial regulations, procurement policies, and incentives. He noted the doubling of R&D expenditure and a 17-fold increase in patent registrations in the past decade, also pointing out the significant contributions of women in STEM fields and India’s growing prominence as a global startup hub.

News Article:

India Backs High-Risk R&D with ₹1 Lakh Crore Fund, Aims to Become Science Powerhouse

New Delhi, November 3, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled a bold new initiative aimed at transforming India into a global science and technology leader. Speaking at the inaugural Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 in New Delhi, Modi announced the launch of a ₹1 lakh crore (approximately $12 billion USD) Research, Development and Innovation Fund designed to spur private sector investment in cutting-edge research.

“This significant investment is aimed at benefiting the public and unlocking new avenues of opportunity,” Modi stated. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting high-risk, high-impact projects that could revolutionize industries and address critical societal challenges.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the significant reforms implemented by his government to create a more favorable environment for innovation. These include streamlined financial regulations, improved procurement policies, and incentives designed to accelerate the transition of prototypes from the laboratory to the market.

“For the first time, capital is being allocated specifically for high-risk, high-impact projects, ensuring support for ground-breaking endeavours,” he said.

India has witnessed a significant boost in research and development over the past decade, with R&D expenditure doubling and patent registrations increasing 17-fold. The nation has also emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem.

Modi also celebrated the growing participation and impact of women in STEM fields, noting that women now comprise 43% of students pursuing STEM education in India, significantly higher than the global average. He lauded the surge in patents filed by women in India, rising from less than 100 annually a decade ago to over 5,000 today.

“India is no longer just a consumer of technology. It has become a pioneer of transformation through technology,” Modi concluded, underscoring the nation’s ambition to lead the world in scientific discovery and technological innovation.

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